Yup Don, I few bonks on the head and either you learn or continue the bonks. gil -----Original Message----- From: montgomery_boats-bounces+gilbert=mindgame.com@mailman.xmission.com [mailto:montgomery_boats-bounces+gilbert=mindgame.com@mailman.xmission.com] On Behalf Of LUDLOWD2@aol.com Sent: Thursday, August 25, 2005 6:13 AM To: montgomery_boats@mailman.xmission.com Subject: Re: M_Boats: Fast Pins Gilbert: After reading of a number of cases where fast pins had pulled out (Steve E going to Catalina comes to mind), I tied the middle of a shoelace to the O ring on all of mine. After the pin has been inserted, I wrap the shoelace around the shank with several half hitches and finish with a bow knot. This is easy to undo when I drop the mast or pull the rudder but (hopefully) keeps the pin from being pulled out accidently. On longer trips, I use those plastic cable ties to hold the fast pins in place and cut the ties off at the end of the trip. I also wrapped all of the cotter pins on the upper and lower shrouds and upper forestay with sail tape and inspect the periodically. If I ever did a long trip in ocean waves, I think I would add a second set of shrouds and a Peak forestay just to be safe. Don _______________________________________________ http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/montgomery_boats