I might switch to ball locks for my front stays also to make rigging quicker, but I would caution that if the pins have a release button then they are hollowed out so the strength would be significantly less than a standard clevis.
Patrick

On Thu, Oct 8, 2026 at 11:25 AM Michael McKay <mm.bizlist1 at gmail.com> wrote:

> My Rhodes came with Ball-Lok clevis pins everywhere and they have been
> very convenient and completely reliable for the past six years.
>
> Michael McKay
> (630) 209-2054 (m)
>
> Sent from my iPhone
>
> > On Oct 8, 2026, at 9:38 AM, Larry Gioia via Rhodes22-list <
> rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org> wrote:
> >
> > Thanks to both of you!  Patrick I’ll check out the West Marine ones - 1
> or 2 of my rings have that feature but most don’t.  That’s good that you
> noticed the other came loose but scary nonetheless.
> > Larry
> >
> >
> > Sent from Yahoo Mail for iPhone
> >
> >
> > On Thursday, October 8, 2026, 9:24 AM, Graham Stewart <
> graham at debgraham.ca> wrote:
> >
> > Has anyone used a drop end pin to secure the fore stay? It has a spring
> and toggle cam at the end that looks secure but I would be interested to
> know if anyone has experience with them.
> > I have used them for years with my traveller where they have worked well
> but that is much less critical than the fore stay.
> >
> >> On Oct 8, 2026, at 8:50 AM, PBR <pbryanriley at gmail.com> wrote:
> >>
> >> I was using one on my forestay.  I did have it come loose once.
> Sitting in
> >> almost zero wind with the powerboat chop rocking me side to side, no
> load
> >> on the sail, I noticed it came loose and quickly reattached it. Not a
> >> problem that time but I lost confidence.
> >>
> >> I've replaced all my cotter rings with those from west marine where one
> end
> >> bends towards the inside so you can easily attach them without pliers
> etc.
> >>
> >> Patrick
> >>
> >>
> >>> On Wed, Oct 7, 2026 at 1:21 PM Larry Gioia via Rhodes22-list <
> >>> rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org> wrote:
> >>>
> >>> I just noticed this item on the West Marine link on that tiller
> question:
> >>> a Ball-Lok Quick-Release Pin. I’ve always wondered about them.
> >>> When raising and lowering my R22 mast I think I spend most of my time
> >>> monkeying with those round wire clips. This Ball-Lok Quick-Release pin
> >>> would be so much easier, especially for the forestay, but can they be
> >>> trusted?  Anyone have experience with them?
> >>>
> >>> Larry  —2014 R22 - Language Of LoveLake George NY
> >>>
> >>>
> >>>
> >>> Sent from Yahoo Mail for iPhone
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> >
> >
> >
> >
>