Ring Dings are dangerous!

[delevi]

I was on deck last week, boat on trailer, setting up my topping lift to run aft to the cockpit. I leaned on the lifeline near the mast, and pop! The cable came flying loose and I nearly fell off the boat. Turns out a ring-ding popped out and in turn, the pin holding the lifeline to the stanchion. My first thought was: "If this happened on the water, I probably would have gone over, or whoever else would have been on deck." I never found the missing pin or ring ding, so it is possible that it may have been vandalism, but I doubt somebody would go through the trouble of removing a pin from a lifeline. The things are too cheap to steal and if someone wanted to vandalize my boat, they probably would have done something a bit more damaging. Case and point; I really don't trust these ring dingy things. Does anyone know a more reliable alternative? I'm thinking perhaps some cotter pins.

[They Theirs]

delevi

They are certainly not for critical rigging. Ive had lines catch and pull them, distorting them open; being lucky I caught it before an accident. Rigging tape may save some problems or better the proven Cotter Pin. Theyre not easy but they rarely fail. They need to be taped too.

[Chip Hindes]

Theyre not easy but they rarely fail. They need to be taped too.

Exactly. And if you're going to tape them anyway, you might as well stick with ring dings. They can be removed and replaced without tools, and they can be reused. Once you've removed a hairpin cotter, you're supposed to toss it and install a new one.

[They Theirs]

Chip Hindes
Youre correct Chip. They are not reusable. The reason you tape them: is to prevent them from catching your sails, lines, sheets, or maybe you. (Ouch) They are more reliable than cotter rings~ring dings.

[Jeff Ritsema]

I read in a riggers handbook and then later in an article in Cruising World that it is unwise to tape over "pinned" joints, regardless of how they are pinned or ringed. The moisture trapped inside the tape causes failure of the metal, chiefly rusting. Perhaps that is not an issue for rigs that are up and down a lot as in trailerable boats, as compared to blue water boats, but still something to consider.

[They Theirs]

We only tape the standing rigging at the deck where they can catch on sheets etc. We also have taped the adjusters to keep them in line when stepping the mast. I have seen them open like a knife and bind.

[Night Sailor]

I trust my ring dings because I use the biggest gauge that the pin will recieve. It makes it more awkward to tape up out of the way to prevent snags, but I'm sure they are thick enough to not wear through before the next inspection and have enough spring to them that they will not easilly come undone with a snag on a line. I can't use my fingernail to open the end, it takes a small screw driver.

If ringdings or cotter pins are put on the inside of shrouds, lifelines, etc. there is a redeuced risk of sheet snagging.

[Frank C]

I'm not sure if the larger gauge wire would deter this, but all of the ring dings that I've used have a tendency to creep out of their pins. One of the first hints in Jeff Stagg's video is to check every ring ding to see that they can flap loosely in their pin holes - means that they haven't yet begun that unwinding process.

I think it's an effect of vibration. I'm using a hint found on this board (by Catigale?) to run a mini, nylon wire-tie through the same holes, just as backup for the ring dings - I've discovered several ring dings backed out about half-way, and I once found a shroud held only by it's pin.
The ring ding had already departed!

[delevi]

I think duct taping them is a good idea. That way they won't make their way out or get snagged by a sheet or line. Thanks for the suggestion. I did this to all my ring dings.

Leon

[Scott]

I havent been really following this but noticed the comment that you had duct taped your ringy dingies. Step up engineers, Duct tape deteriorates rapidly in the sunlight and weather. It also leaves an adhesive scum when attempting removal.

You might try a task specific product "Rigging tape" Made for the job.

[Night Sailor]

I also recommend only using the self adhering stretchy rigging tape made for the purpose of wrapping rigging parts. It works, and if done carefull has a lifetime of three or four years.

I also agree with being prudent when applying it, so that parts can be washed off in rain or deck washings, to prevent salt or dirt buildup to accelerate corrosion or wear. For example, my ring dings on critical riggin are only tape up or back against the line, leaving a hollow space that air and water can enter and leave. I really prefer cotter pins but ring dings have give me less trouble over the years than the cotters. 'Again, it's important to get the largest size gauge so the ring is as strong as allowd by the pin's hole. That's where the cotter also gets it's strength. Thicker wire not only to avoid breakage, avoid wearing through, but to have the spring tension to avoid being backed off due to anything but deliberte removal with pliers, or a small screwdriver. If it takes a 2 inch ring to secure a 1/4" pin, so be it. It's peace of mind, IMHO.

[craiglaforce]

I have read that stainless steel can corrode badly if it is not exposed to air or oxygenated water. Apparently SS protects itself with a thin layer of oxide. But this can dissappear if taped tightly and corrosion can progress rapidly and undetected under the tape.

But maybe rigging tape is porous enough with respect to oxygen to prevent a problem. Don't know.

[Catigale]

I read in a riggers handbook and then later in an article in Cruising World that it is unwise to tape over "pinned" joints, regardless of how they are pinned or ringed. The moisture trapped inside the tape causes failure of the metal, chiefly rusting. Perhaps that is not an issue for rigs that are up and down a lot as in trailerable boats, as compared to blue water boats, but still something to consider.

All of this underscores that you should inspect rigging on a regular basis for corrosion and wear, things out of place, etc

Jeff - you are in a fresh water place so corrosion wont be an issue for you, I think you will find.

My feeling is if you tape the 'ends' of a ring ding to keep it from catching or working loose, then it will not seal out oxygen well enough to prevent passivation. [/quote]

[delevi]

Thanks for the advice. I will purchase some rigging tape and re-tape.
Cheers,
Leon

[Dan B]

I have tried cotter pins - they sheared off leaving my outside shroud flapping in the breeze. I went back to split rings and one worked its way out and a different shround went flapping.

The only solution I have found is to tape them a bit and check often.