Was climbing the mast to switch out a wind instrument this weekend when I discovered the attached. Pretty scary given that the mast was holding me up at at the time.
My rigging was all redone about 2 years ago and I am 99.9999% sure that there was a cotter pin in that pin at that time. I see no evidence of the cotter pin being sheared. Really cannot figure out how it could have worked out but am tremendously glad I found this before the next sail.
SO I have a lot of questions:
-Does anyone know what size pin holds up the forestay? I want to replace it.
-What is the proper cotter pin and size that should hold that pin in place? Big ring-ding? Standard cotter pin?
-the metal on the side of the exit box that is still holding the forestay up is slightly bent, should I be worried?
And finally - how the hell could a big cotter pin just come out like that???
Right now all is stabilized. I've got two halyards winched down on deck forward, and the 3rd securing the forestay so it doesn't fall if it gives. I plan to loosen the forestay an inch or two then go back up to put the pin back in and re-secure.
-Dan