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Bill Balme · 28-06-2019, 03:04

This part landed on the deck one night on passage to the Shetlands. A couple of days after we heard it drop, we found it right at the base of the mast. I cannot find out for the life of me what it belongs to.

It's Stainless, just over an inch long - looks like it might be a roller bearing - but as far as I know all mine are plastic or ceramic.

I've been up and down the mast looking but can't find a thing. We have Lewmar clutches, a pole, various blocks, two winches and a couple of furling headsails.

Anyone have a clue what it might be?

**atoll** · 28-06-2019, 03:15

that is a pin held in place with 2 circlips,could be from a small block or a locking pin on your roller furler,spinnaker pole etc
i doubt it is from the mast as it is too short and the diameter is very small.
likely it is from the lewmar rope clutch

Benz · 28-06-2019, 03:17

Those machined grooves are meant to key into something. My guess is it's part of a multi-part block, likely the pin that keeps the becket ferrule in place. Could be, if no lines have come down, that it was an unused part of the system that vibrated out because it was unloaded.

Sailmonkey · 28-06-2019, 04:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by Benz

Those machined grooves are meant to key into something. My guess is it's part of a multi-part block, likely the pin that keeps the becket ferrule in place. Could be, if no lines have come down, that it was an unused part of the system that vibrated out because it was unloaded.

This.

Do you have any Ronstan becket blocks on the mast? It looks just like the pin on our mizzen sheet block.

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Bill Balme · 28-06-2019, 07:39

I think the grooves are a little wide for them to be for circlips. I don't have any Ronstan blocks - at least not around the mast.

All the blocks - both at the bottom and the top of the mast appear to be together properly...

If it weren't for the fact that we're pretty sure it came down while on passage I'd think that someone was playing a nasty trick on us by throwing a spurious part onto the boat!!!

Keep those guesses coming! :-)

Bill

**JPA Cate** · 28-06-2019, 15:57

Go aloft and have a look-see. Something has lost that pin, and maybe, the keepers for the grooves, as well. Try to see everything with a fresh mind, no pre-conceptions for what you'll find, be open to a surprise. Good luck. Maybe it left tracks. Maybe something else is what you heard hit the deck, and is gone overboard. Odd that a rolly little pin didn't go over, too.

Ann

**a64pilot** · 28-06-2019, 16:04

Look around your Vang

Bill Balme · 29-06-2019, 04:26

It's a complete mystery still. I've been up the mast - can't see anything awry. Can't see anything around the vang or the pole.
It looks like it's part of a clutch - seems to be the right width and they use similar pieces - but they all seem intact and working fine!
Bizarre!

Has us a little concerned since we'll be crossing over to Norway when a weather window appears - don't really want a failure in the North Sea!

DougR · 29-06-2019, 04:45

How about a pin from one of the mainsail slides that attaches the mainsail to the mast track?

DougR

belizesailor · 29-06-2019, 05:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by atoll

that is a pin held in place with 2 circlips,could be from a small block or a locking pin on your roller furler,spinnaker pole etc
i doubt it is from the mast as it is too short and the diameter is very small.
likely it is from the lewmar rope clutch

+1. You see this same type of pin as the sheave axle in blocks.