Lifeline Pelican won’t open

[Letterkenny]

Anyone have tips how to get one of the pelicans to open on your lifelines? My wife and I can get it to open for the life of us. It was fine and is on our new boat so not rusted or corroded.

[GreenWave]

Try tightening that nut up against the flange. Always pull straight out on the pin.

[Calif.Ted]

There's a little spring in there makes the pin close, usually gets corroded up and sticks/breaks. If you remove the split ring the pin will go outboard, beware however as many a pin has been launched overboard when that cheesy ring has broken etc. Anyway take apart, clean and lube and maybe you need new springs.
I use a stainless key ring in place of the split rings, much more robust.
https://www.westmarine.com/buy/ronst...74?recordNum=3
Just noticed you said new, hit it with a little sailkote or similar around the pin.

[Uncle Bob]

Originally Posted by Calif.Ted

There's a little spring in there makes the pin close, usually gets corroded up and sticks/breaks. If you remove the split ring the pin will go outboard, beware however as many a pin has been launched overboard when that cheesy ring has broken etc. Anyway take apart, clean and lube and maybe you need new springs.
I use a stainless key ring in place of the split rings, much more robust.
https://www.westmarine.com/buy/ronst...74?recordNum=3

+1 Also sometimes the pin doesn't fit the hook particularly well, if the line is tight then release the wire a turn or two and try again. If this works then adjust the length to correctly suit, lube etc and go sailing.

[Zanshin]

Have you tried needle-nosed pliers and turning/twisting the pull-pin?

[Greg Mason]

I am with Uncle Bob. If the line is too tight, the release pin will stay locked.

[tweitz]

On a related note, does anyone know where you can get that little spring in the Pelican hook? Mine jumped overboard. Its a pretty standard ABI Pelican hook.

[cruising_ollie]

The problem is on a boat that is new!!!

[Moontide]

Most common cause is too much tension on the lifeline.



Try putting pliers around the shank part to relieve some pressure on the pull pin.



If it opens unscrew the hook a couple of turns to ease the tension.And the nut should be tightened with wrench against the shank to prevent it from coming unscrewed.

[Poeme]

Loosen any turnbuckle on end of lifeline OPPOSITE the pelican fitting...agree with all above, whole line is too tight.

[SV__Grace]

Certainly relieve the tension and apply lube (assuming it's new and not corroded).


One trick to opening these in addition to the others mentioned above is to press the clasp together to relieve the tension on the pin, either by hand or with pliers if needed.


Expecting the pelican hook to easily open simply by pulling the pin is optimal, but if over-tightened or corroded, or simply gritted up with salt residue, press on the clasp before pulling the pin and clean/lubricate afterwards.

[Zanshin]

If there is too much tension on the one pelican hook, put your weight on the other lifeline and that will usually take enough slack out of the lines to loosen the other hook. Once you have it open, loosen the nut loosen the hook 1/2 or 1 turn and re-tighten.

[Ken Pole]

To facilitate grip, suggest the "marlinspiked" or braided pulls which can be bought at pretty well any chandlery.

[donradcliffe]

Originally Posted by SV__Grace

One trick to opening these in addition to the others mentioned above is to press the clasp together to relieve the tension on the pin, either by hand or with pliers if needed.

I was on a new boat last week and experienced the same issue. Pressing the clasp together solved the problem, which I never had with older versions.

[Peeew]

I have had the end of the pin bend near the split ring and lock it into place. Easy to cut the pin and replace w spare part kit.