My main issue with the ball-lock style is that they eventually freeze up, usually in the locked position.  Dedicated lubrication helps, but that's a lot of attention to small pieces.

I've had better luck with the drop end pins, but again, eventually little springs fail and then the locking action becomes dependent on gravity.  On anything that is crucial (like a forestay), I use something as fail-safe as possible, usually cotter pins secured by rings, or sometimes a shackle, with the shackle pin secured by wire if it is going to be in place for a long time.  Since the R22 shrouds are effectively covered by the combination of the other shrouds and fore-or-back stay, I am comfortable with using one of the easier options on them.

Paul Rhodes
SV New Mercies
Savannah GA

On Fri, Oct 9, 2026 at 10:00 AM Bob Garrant <bgarrant at gmail.com> wrote:

> Does anyone have a picture of the pin where one end bends towards the
> inside
>
>
> Bob
> s/v Sail la Vie
> Kent Island, Maryland
>
> On Thu, Oct 8, 2026 at 10:00 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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> >
> http://rhodes22.org/pipermail/rhodes22-list/attachments/20261007/4b5ad4f5/attachment.jpeg
> > >>>
> > >>
> >
> >
>