Pin Sizes for rigging at masthead

[Dolce_Vita]

As far as I know, the standing rigging on Dolce Vita has never been replaced in her 35 years.  This understandably makes me nervous.

I'm preparing to replace it all and wonder if anyone knows the size of the pins used at the masthead.
The shrouds all have fork ends, while the forestay is a toggle, and the backstay is an eye.
Forestay, backstay, and upper shrouds are all 9/32" wire, while the lower shrouds are 1/4".

In looking at the selections available from both Norseman and Sta Lok, I find
that Norsman forks for 9/32" wire only come with a 1/2" pin, while Sta Lok
forks for 9/32" wire only come with a 7/16 pin.  It seems like the pin size
needed is going to drive my choice of brands. 

I suppose I could make a trip up the mast to measure, but asking here first
is so much easier!

[Rusty Pelican]

Pulling  the mast Sept 26th will let you know if no one else responds.
I pull the mast every year, and I am under the impression the clevis pin are 1/2"

[Dolce_Vita]

Rusty,

  It was my impression too that they are 1/2".   

  I just got on my yard's schedule to pull the mast on Oct 23rd.  After talking to the yard's master rigger, I'll probably go with swaged fittings at the top, and Norseman fittings at the bottom.  Practical Sailor also recommended this configuration in their article on rigging fittings.  The corrosion issues seem to only be a factor on the lower fittings as the water runs down the wire.  Thus, the mechanical fittings like Norseman and Sta Lok are better at the bottom, as they are sealed to exclude water.

[Rusty Pelican]

The uppers and lowers are pinned to a tang. Clevis size is 7/16
Head and back stay are double pinned ( two clevis pins per stay) to a toggle. Clevis size 1/2
Your setup makes sense.
Good Luck

[Dolce_Vita]

Interesting.  We seem to have two different rigs.

At the masthead, my upper shrouds have a fork pinned onto a tang.
But at the spreaders, my lower shrouds have an eye pinned between two plates.
And both the fore and backstay have a toggle pinned into the masthead cap.

I understand that some 323s have a spar by Metalmast, while others have one from Sound Spars.
I measured mine carefully, and I believe it's from Sound Spars.  My rigger also looked at
photos of the masthead cap and said its not Metalmast.  We also found some websites
that list two different numbers for the "I" dimension that differ by half a foot!

Here's a few photos of the upper ends of the rig:

[Rusty Pelican]

I'll take some snaps and post em up
Meanwhile
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yyVycgQnTvs

[Libations Too]

Nice!

I like the dodger to bimini transition. I couldn't see clearly but it looks like you have the traditional end-of-boom mainsheet connection. Is that accurate? If yes, does the transition piece of canvas (between dodger and bimini) have an opening for the mainsheet?

Thanks,
Richard

[Rusty Pelican]

When I got the dodger I had to move the mainsheet bail back a foot or so.
Yes the "connector does have a slot for the mainsheet.

Here are my pics

[Rusty Pelican]

oops

[Dolce_Vita]

Well, I just got my mast down on Tuesday 10/23, and I got a surprise on the rig's pin sizes.  Everything was 1/2" except the upper shrouds at the masthead!  They were 7/16".  But it was a kludge.  The forks were 7/16, but the tangs actually were 1/2" holes.  I understand that this mix is a bad thing to do, as it puts a high point-load on the tangs, increasing their wear.