26 Classic: Forward Stay Pin Snaps Under Load...

[FlyboyTR]

We have spent the past couple of days trying to get some time in the 26s in some heavier winds...which we succeeded in finding! Today we were met with a potential disastrous and deadly situation. We were under a reefed main and full genoa. We were still in the River so there were no waves and winds around 15, gusting to 20-22. As we changed to a starboard tack we were met with a gust, she heeled over and started accelerating. Suddenly there was a loud snap that shook everything. I released the main and was asking Kathy what snapped. Suddenly she said the roller furling in not attached. My eyes bulged as I looked forward to find that a small 3/16" line was the only thing holding the rigging up...the genoa was still powered up. I gave the order to start the motor and turn us downwind. The furler would not work. I ran forward and physically turned the furler and wound the genoa up and tied it off. I used the jib halyard as a forestay and pulled it as hard as I could and cleated it off. In the meantime, Kathy had dropped the main. This whole event took about a minute or two...but seemed really fast. Afterwards...I just sort of collapsed against Kathy as we motored slowly back to The Steel Magnolia.

The pin in question... This was a 1/4" pin with the spring ball retainer on the end. The original owner had a couple of loose ones and a new one in the bag; all of this was in a ziplock bag marked "pins for Jib and Stays." Once back at the dock I pulled out the bag and to my shock...the one that was still bagged up was something you would buy at the hardware store! I almost croaked! We headed over to west marine and purchased a 3,000 lb working load pin. We came home and was finally able to get it in. I will be looking at ALL the pins and hardware to make sure there is not some more hardware store junk holding things together.

The little string... Since we were having problems getting the forestay attached when stepping the mast, I used a piece of the 3/16" line I had recently purchased to thread through the base fitting on the furling and make a loop about 2' long. While on the trailer, I could use a ratchet strap from the trailer to this loop and use it to pull downward on the line to help position the furler so I could pin it. The small line basically comes down each side of the bow of the boat. I have been just wrapping it around the chainplate fitting just to keep it out of the way. Fortunately, when things snapped the line bound itself to the fitting and held everything in place...only allowing about 4 inches of slack. This tiny line was rated at 1,200 lbs breaking strength.

We are so blessed that everything happened just as it did...and very thankful for that tiny little line that potentially saved our lives.

Just wanted to share this in hopes that another newbie doesn't just assume that the previous owner didn't cut corners on parts that carry a critical load.

[Default User]

Glad that it wasn't a catastrophe, sounds like you handled the situation well.

Been thinking about putting one of those pins in the forestay, but I guess I'll just stick with the nut and bolt method

Now that I think about it, I think I'll freshen up the ole roller furler control line though!

Dave

[FlyboyTR]

Glad that it wasn't a catastrophe, sounds like you handled the situation well.

Been thinking about putting one of those pins in the forestay, but I guess I'll just stick with the nut and bolt method

Now that I think about it, I think I'll freshen up the ole roller furler control line though!

Dave

Dave,
Thanks! I usually do well when things go bad...then I just sort of fall apart when it's all over.

I replaced the broken pin with a similar design pin...but good stuff....not the hardware store variety. You comment about bolts has got me to thinking. I've been building and flying for 43 years. Aircraft bolts have an amazingly high sheer strength, something like 11,000 pounds for an AN4 bolt (1/4"). It seems the general consensus is that if it is stainless it is strong...not always the case. What grade bolt is used for the bolt at the top of the forestay?

[Jimmyt]

Glad you and Kathy weren't hurt. Sounds like your accidental backup fore stay saved the day. I guess when we're optimizing setup time, we've got to remember not to sacrifice strength for speed. On the bright side, you got to go sailing AND got a great story to tell without it costing you a big pile of money!

[FlyboyTR]

Glad you and Kathy weren't hurt. Sounds like your accidental backup fore stay saved the day. I guess when we're optimizing setup time, we've got to remember not to sacrifice strength for speed. On the bright side, you got to go sailing AND got a great story to tell without it costing you a big pile of money!

Thanks, Jimmy! I really hate that I did not realize what the previous owner had been using...I just assumed it was an appropriately rated pin. It could have been really bad!

[Sumner]

Glad things worked out ok.



You need to have a pin/ring ding combination like above.



On my last trip I notied half way through that the ring ding on the forestay pin had a nick in it from being pulled tight like in the picture above (picture is not my boat). I turned the pin around so that the tension was on the head of the pin and not the ring ding and put a new one in. I carry extra of both on the boat.



I do have a pin like what you described in the Johnson lever. It came with the lever and if it failed the lever might open but the forestay would just become slack and the mast wouldn't come down. The pins below that are the type with the ring dings. As Walt mentioned on the other board you should also have toggles at the bottom (you can see the one above at the bottom) and there should be one at the top end of the forestay also which you can see here...

http://purplesagetradingpost.com/sumner ... ng-24.html

...the toggles help with the loading on the forestay and the pins and the furler unit,


Sumner

============================

1300 miles to the Bahamas and back -- 2015

The MacGregor 26-S

The Endeavour 37

Trips to Utah, Idaho, Canada, Florida

Mac-Venture Links

[FlyboyTR]

Sumner,
Thanks for the info. The part I purchased is listed here (although I purchase it at West marine): http://hardware.schaefermarine.com/inde ... ts_id=3805

From the chain plate I have a U shaped shackle (with a 5/16" threaded pin and a 1/4" diameter shackle). My furler is connected directly to the U part of the shackle with the 1/4" pin (the part that failed) that goes through the bracket on the bottom of the furler. There is not enough clearance on the tangs to clear anything larger than 1/4". To complicate all of this even more... The top of the furling cable has a fitting with a 1/4" hole in it (like the one you have pictured). The 1/4" bolt on the mast hound goes directly through this end fitting. There are no toggles anywhere.

Since I will be shortening my roller furling system for the new sails, and the installation of a Johnson Lever, I will try to figure out what is best according to the recommendations. Please know how much I appreciate everyone's in put and support! It really does help. Thanks!

[Sumner]

I personally would not use that pin in any location where if it came out the mast would come down. use a pin with a Ring Ding. When you go to the Johnson lever you should be able to add toggles like I did top and bottom...

Sumner

[grady]

I personally would not use that pin in any location where if it came out the mast would come down. use a pin with a Ring Ding. When you go to the Johnson lever you should be able to add toggles like I did top and bottom...

Sumner

X2

Also wrap with fusion tape for a safety.

[FlyboyTR]

I personally would not use that pin in any location where if it came out the mast would come down. use a pin with a Ring Ding. When you go to the Johnson lever you should be able to add toggles like I did top and bottom...

Sumner

X2

Also wrap with fusion tape for a safety.

Thanks Sumner. I will swap out what I purchased with a conventional pin and ring.

Grady... I am a huge fan of silicone fusion tape. I use it for everything. Good stuff!