rusting clevis pins on rigging

[steve yates]

I have noticed rust on 3 of the clevis pins on my standing rigging.

I used a mix of what came with the boat, some from a box of spares I had for beth fran and some from the chandlery in ardrishaig.

The ones from bethfran actually say galvanised zinc, but I have no memory of what the ones I bought in ardrishaig were. I did buy three however, so either it is those three, or three of the galvanised ones that I used from my spares box which are showing rust.

I assume that I should have stainless steel pins here? Are the galvanised ones an issue?

The rigging has been attached for about 4 months now. Its westerly ketch, about 32ft loa, am I safe in assuming that I have time to get her down to essex and sort it out in the winter while she comes ashore then anyway?

 

[Tranona]

The physical difference between stainless and galvanised is pretty obvious. The rust occurs when the zinc wears through but while unsightly will not have an immediate effect on the strength of the pin.

 

[vyv_cox]

Check with a magnet if you cannot see the difference. Galvanised steel will be attracted strongly. Not a problem in the short term but you will soon have rust streaks down the decks. Replace with stainless ones from a decent chandler.

 

[steve yates]

thx guys. I'll replace them this winter, at least I can relax they will not break in the next month or so!