Should you tape clevis pins aloft??

[Sailor_Grant]

Should you tape cotter pins aloft to make sure they do not get yanked out by a rope or other line or sail up there.

I know in theory there would be no lines or sails touching them, but look at the picture I have attached of my backstay clevis pin positioning...

Also, is there a proper direction to put clevis pins and cotter pins in fittings? IE cotter pin should always be facing up etc

[Sparx]

Tape the pins that might snag a line, sail, or person. Leave the rest uncovered, so they can be easily inspected.

I would make sure that back stay cotter pin is not abraiding the topping lift. Put a long cotter pin in there and turn the ends under close to the clevis pin, out of the reach of the topping lift. Done. No tape thank you.

You could reverse that backstay clevis pin so the cotter pin cannot rub on the topping lift. But the way it is rigged now gravity will help the clevise pin stay in place if the cotter pin suddenly went missing....I prefer that.

BTW, the best money I ever spent was to have a competent rigger tune the mast and inspect the rig. I learned a great deal and ended up more confident in the boat.