Secure Rotating Mast

[Tomfoolery]

I don't know of any made like that. Just ones with a swivel, and those without, but none openable on both ends.

And don't be too quick to dismiss open hooks with latches. Crane hooks are always open, often with a latch (to keep rigging from popping out when slack, or when improperly rigged). Here's one rated for 330 US Tons.

http://www.gunnebojohnson.com/johnson-b ... ith-latch/

Two- and four-prong styles go into the thousands of tons, and the prongs are all open. A hook can be made that can handle any load a boat can put on it, but if it's open, at the cost of additional weight, which is probably why the closed styles are preferred.

How's about 925 metric tons. Each. Times 4 (other two on this derrick not shown).



OK, so I've worked in the crane industry for the last 35 years.

[BOAT]

So those ones with the open eyes are okay or are NOT okay? I just never have trusted them - maybe I'm all wrong on that too?

I use double open eye clips a LOT I use one to secure the furler to the mast raising system when raising the mast - I use one to clip the boom out of the way, I use a couple of them on the topping lift, but they all sort of remind me of using a bent coat hanger, won't that open eye just bend open if you put any real weight on it??

I noticed on the Ronstan stuff with Open Eyes they do not even publish a load rating. (I could not fine a rating in that West Marine book).

So I guess open eye things are okay?

[Russ]

I use double open eye clips a LOT

What is an open eye clip?

Google found this

[EZ]

Picture of pinning the mast here. See post by EZ.

http://www.macgregorsailors.com/forum/v ... n&start=15

[Tomfoolery]

So I guess open eye things are okay?

They are if the load rating is adequate. These open style snap hooks have breaking strengths of 1550 and 3300 lb.

http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs/st ... sNum=50048

And here are some eye snaps with 100 and 200 lb working loads (presumably a breaking strength of at least 2:1, if not higher).

http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs/st ... sNum=50048

In fact, some carabiners have pretty high load ratings, though I'm not a big fan of carabiners for things like topping lifts and such. I like 'em for fenders and other 'utility' type applications.

http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs/st ... sNum=50048

Just trying to make the point that if it's load rated, and that rating is adequate for the intended load (and overload), then the actual style shouldn't be a concern. The style should, IMO at least, be whatever is best for how you use it.

[BOAT]

What is an open eye clip?
Google found this
[/quote]

Yup! That is a DOUBLE, and it's exactly what I use to hold the furler to the forward mast raising line when stepping the mast - works great. Both ends are OPEN eyes so with enough weight you could easily bend the eye open. I'm thinking only 600 to 800 pounds would do it or two people. (Not suitable for climbing mountains!)

Picture of pinning the mast here. See post by EZ.
http://www.macgregorsailors.com/forum/v ... n&start=15

THANK YOU FOR THAT POST! It explains EVERYTHING! Saw the picture of the mast "pinned" I notice he flattened the mast plate to do it - I might consider doing that because I have no vang - I need to think about it.

They are if the load rating is adequate. These open style snap hooks have breaking strengths of 1550 and 3300 lb.
http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs/st ... sNum=50048

Those are really big and expensive and have only one eye, but it's good to know there is a single eye that can take some weight. I need doubles, but those sure look nice too.

And here are some eye snaps with 100 and 200 lb working loads (presumably a breaking strength of at least 2:1, if not higher).
http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs/st ... sNum=50048

Yeah, 100 pounds is considered dangerous in my book - that is weak enough to let a boom take out a crew member when it lets go, and 200 pounds is not even enough to support my own weight - that's why I thought "coat hangar" when I saw it cuz I visioned myself trying to hang from it.

In fact, some carabiners have pretty high load ratings, though I'm not a big fan of carabiners for things like topping lifts and such. I like 'em for fenders and other 'utility' type applications.

I like those too, but Carabiners are not open eye really because they reconnect with themselves when they close and that is why they are okay for mountain climbers. Anything that is not "open" is usually pretty strong. I have considered those, but for some reason i have also not been a big fan of carabiners (wonder why?)

Just trying to make the point that if it's load rated, and that rating is adequate for the intended load (and overload), then the actual style shouldn't be a concern. The style should, IMO at least, be whatever is best for how you use it.

Got it - I will remember that. The way I use those is to clip one thing on one end and then clip the other end to something else - so I usually need a DOUBLE OPEN EYE. I still have not really found one stronger than 300 pounds that is not heavier than the boat. I carry them around in my pocket sometimes instead of Velcro. I am assuming you guys are all using the "Pelican Hook" style to connect the mainsheet block to the boom bale?

[Tomfoolery]

I am assuming you guys are all using the "Pelican Hook" style to connect the mainsheet block to the boom bale?

I've only ever seen pelican hooks used on lifelines.



I use the snap shackles discussed many posts back in this thread. Or straight or anchor shackles, usually with a screw pin.

[BOAT]

right!, I gotta remember - those are not pelican hooks. So you guys use the "snap shackle" on your boom bale?

P.S. My pelican hooks that came with boat don't look like that, they look like this:

[Tomfoolery]

I think those are way more common than the one I posted, but I much prefer the type in my pic. I can open and close them with one hand, thumb on the flip latch, which is why I like them. I'm also used to them, and familiarity counts for a lot as regards people's opinions.

[BOAT]

Well, yeah - that's why I mentioned it's different - I sort of like yours better - I wonder why I did not get those kind when they sold me the boat. It takes two hands to do the ones in my picture - that kinda sucks.

[Russ]

Well, yeah - that's why I mentioned it's different - I sort of like yours better - I wonder why I did not get those kind when they sold me the boat. It takes two hands to do the ones in my picture - that kinda sucks.

I view that as a safety feature of a "life" line.

BTW, the ring came out of one of mine and the pin disappeared. Costly little bugger to replace.

[RobertB]

For the vang, main sheet to traveler, and the mast raiser setup, I use the Ronstan brass snap shackle rated at 1400 pounds for about $17 each http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs/st ... fxscKx30aM I have a total of 5 on the boat. I use a traditional bowline knot for the halyard to sail connection - the quick disconnect fittings delivered with the boat are not great and take about as long as tying the knot.

I referred to the lifeline quick releases as snap shackles - they are also pelican hooks. But instead of being a traditional pelican hook with two long legs and a ring to hold them together, they use a snap shackle type mechanism to open and close.

BTW, the rings on these are too weak. Best to find better/stronger rings - and keep lubricated. Search older threads for very inexpensive replacements.

[BOAT]

Which one of those shackles should I use for the baby stays?

[RobertB]

I used three of the 1400 lb brass ones. One at top at the mast and one each at the base of the baby stays. Since the base of the baby stays have a fixed eye where the shackle goes and adding the shackle using intermediate hardware makes it a bit long, I made new baby stays using dynema. Stronger than the steel and much easier to deal with.

[Russ]

Which one of those shackles should I use for the baby stays?

Mine look like this


But if I launched my boat (and raised the mast) as often as you, I'd go with one of those snap shackles.

Also, I tried to leave the baby stays on once and almost killed myself because they are in the way. I don't know how or why people do that.