Tack Pin

Sue Clancy · February 06, 2013, 08:57:45 AM

Just got our boat this fall and it is missing the pin that would hold the tack point of the sail to the goose neck. This is a 1987 Tall Rig. I was able to get the specs on the pin from Gerry Douglas at Catalina but he does not describe the type of pin that it is. He stated that the factory supplied tack pin for the mainsail is 1-3/4" long x 5/16" dia.

Is this just a clevis pin? If so is it secured with a cotter pin or something else? Any chance someone with their boat in the water could take a photo of it for me?

Thanks,

Roc · February 06, 2013, 10:15:08 AM

Sue,
I think it's really just a clevis pin. You can try getting one here.
http://msc-stainless-fasteners.com/materialsearch/mscproducts/stainless-steel-pins.html

Stu Jackson · February 06, 2013, 02:24:11 PM

Sue, here are some pictures. It's a clevis pin, but there is no reason not to just get a bolt and a lock nut. This is not a "specialty item."

Stu Jackson · February 06, 2013, 02:27:01 PM

more photos

The width of the fitting the bolt has to go through is about 1 3/8". Just find a lag bolt of the thickness described by Gerry with appropriate threads sticking out at the end, or get a machine screw. No reason to have to spend any $$ on matching.

Ron Hill · February 06, 2013, 03:29:33 PM

Sue : As you can see from Stu's pictures the tack pin is a large smooth headed pin that is about 1 1/2- 1 3/4" (you can measure the distance on your own goose neck!) long and a hole in the end for a cotter pin or a ring clip.

As Stu mentioned you can use a nut and bolt, but I'd make sure the bolt is smooth (no threads) on pin where the cringle of the tack would ride. A thought

Ron Hill · February 06, 2013, 04:48:43 PM

Stu : BTW, the nut on your bolt that holds the boom gooseneck onto the fixture attached to the mast is not screwed in far enough to be "self locking"!!

Any self locking nut must have the bolt threads at least flush with the end of the nut! A thought

Stu Jackson · February 06, 2013, 08:23:56 PM

Thanks Ron. I check it every time I go out, like the nut on the wheel! Hasn[t moved in 14 years.

patrice · February 07, 2013, 05:15:28 AM

Hi Sue,
You could also just take a round metal bar, Stainless if possible, drill one hole at both end, and put the safety clip at each end.
Easy to do, not expensive, and you'll have a nice smooth surface.

Enjoy your boat,

Ron Hill · February 07, 2013, 05:17:54 PM

All : Just trying to point out that in Stu's bottom picture; that a bolt must be engaged into the nylon portion of the "lock nut mechanism" to have the lock nut - lock!!

An observation.

Les Luzar · February 08, 2013, 08:35:46 AM

Ron,
Your point is spot on!

Ron Hill · February 08, 2013, 02:43:10 PM

Guys : That picture also depicts why you want to always think about how bolts, screws and clevis pins are installed!!

In Stu's case if the nut came off the bolt will stay in place because of gravity. If it were installed the other way with the nut on the top side, gravity would be against it and the bolt could work and drop out. The same goes for clevis pins and their cotter pins/ring retainers.

A thought