Mast and chainplate work on Ericson 27

[JPS27]

Reposting to a new thread as the below got no response. Hoping because it was at the bottom of an old thread and not that the question is completely unworthy...

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I'm putting my masthead back together with parts supplied by zephyrwerks.

My most pressing question is ...

should my pins for the forestay and backstays be bolts with nuts? Or is it acceptable to have pins (5/16" axels) with properly sized cotter pins. I asked zephyrworks for pins for the stays, but after revisting the help and pics I got on this thread, I'm second guessing myself.

Pics of current situation to clarify. One pic of new external chainplates. And the rings are there just to allow for easy dismantling while we work things out. Next up, standing rigging assembly (by rigger), I'm putting together a new topping lift system, need to enlarge the hole for mast wiring to go thru deck since I have a bit more wire to account for.


Jay

 

[bigd14]

Looks like you are on the right path. I think pins are standard practice, rather than bolts. That's what I used on my E27 and current boat. Also, you might include a standpipe and drip loop in the wiring at the mast step to eliminate drips into the boat. Discussion here: https://ericsonyachts.org/ie/threads/mast-step-wiring-conduit-35-2.18814/#post-145229

 

[Loren Beach]

Looks like you are on the right path. I think pins are standard practice, rather than bolts. That's what I used on my E27 and current boat. Also, you might include a standpipe and drip loop in the wiring at the mast step to eliminate drips into the boat. Discussion here: https://ericsonyachts.org/ie/threads/mast-step-wiring-conduit-35-2.18814/#post-145229

My SWAG is that you need the smooth diameter of the "pin" to evenly bear against the jaw(s) of the other fittings. If you use a bolt, it would need to have the threaded part with the nut end exactly at the outside of the surface of the fitting. If threading it yourself that would be easy, but it might difficult to find a production bolt with the threading exactly where you want it.
(Ideas tossed out for consideration, only a penny each...)

 

[Kenneth K]

Yes, pins not bolts. You don't want to compress the sides of the mast (or a toggle) as a bolt would, thus there would be no good way to prevent the nut from loosening up.

 

[alcodiesel]

I vote pins. (Hi Jay)
Also: this is a great time to do this work. There has been only 4 or 5 days of decent wind all summer. Thank gawd it is September. Here comes the wind. See you out there!

 

[JPS27]

Hi Bill. You were my motivation to get this project done. See you on the southern bay. Soon we will be sailing over the German made tunnel boring machine as it makes it's way from my side to yours (or vice versa)

 

[G Kiba]

Get rid of the rings! Use cotter pins.

 

[JPS27]

Get rid of the rings! Use cotter pins.

see above