Help with mast step pin(?)

[Lubrdink]

The pin at the base of my mast, used to step the mast got bent and I ordered a new one. While she was out of the water I decided to change it out. However the new one I ordered was a smaller and shorter pin and the sheave around it was larger than the hole. Even enlarging the hole, with the pin inserted it only has a cotter pin in the middle to keep it from falling out.
It has enough side to side movement that one end of the pin can slide completely into the inside of the mast.
I guess my question for the experts out there is 1) How is the pin properly installed? Am I missing something? Looks pretty straightforward but I'm nervous about losing the mast if it slips out and 2) is the pin just to align the mast when stepping and once it's up and set into the step does it have any further function?
I sure don't want to have a disaster for the sake of doing this wrong. Any help out there would be greatly appreciated.

[Lubrdink]

To correct myself, I guess that is called a "tabernacle pin". Which leads to a great question: why is that thing called a tabernacle anyway? Hmm...

[ronalddiebel]

I am not familiar with the 20 footer, but I bent the front pin on my 25 and tried to order another from D&R Marine. They did not have the small pin any more, so I used another large pin and drilled out the front hole. It works fine. There is a cotter hole on each end of the pin, that when inserted, it is outside of the walls of the tabernacle.
I am concerned that the pin you have is not the correct pin. It should not be able to slide out.
It is called a tabernacle, because it was invented by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, and it is tradition for the Captain and crew to face it and sing "Shenandoah" to it, before each sail.
Or maybe, somebody thought it looked like the walls of a Tabernacle style church.

[kcbillb2]

OK, I really hope that the last post was tongue in cheek...

tabernacle - definition of tabernacle by the Free Online Dictionary, Thesaurus and Encyclopedia.

Granted, it's the last definition...but:

5. Nautical A boxlike support in which the heel of a mast is stepped.


Now, I'm not going to hijack this thread, since I'm interested in other comments on the OP's question. See new thread "Tabernacle Replacement...

[Lubrdink]

Dang! I wish I'd read the last line before we went to the marina. They other folks sure gave us some funny looks when we sang but a few tapped their feet when I played the second verse on my harmonica!
Seriously though, I think you're right-I think it's the wrong pin but I've adapted it so it can't slide out. With a single pin in the middle it invariably will slide all the way one way or the other. I built it out on the inside of the mast so it can't slide but if I have to replace it, I have a buddy who runs a machine shop and I'll have him make me one to fit.
Appreciate the replies and happy sailing!

[skygazer]

Originally Posted by Lubrdink

Dang! I wish I'd read the last line before we went to the marina. They other folks sure gave us some funny looks when we sang but a few tapped their feet when I played the second verse on my harmonica!

[vtsailguy]

Actually, I don't even use mine on my oday 28

As I understand it, the pin takes the pressure off the shrounds when you are resting on you keel after hauling. Think about the direction of tension, undoing the shrouds is hard when you are on the keel, it pushes the mast up as the boat flexes.