Belaying pins: How close may they be?

[dafi]

I'm having a bit of a headache with my bits on the Victory.

 

According to McKay and the Heller kit, the pins are set very tightly there.

 

The forward foremast bit is still manageable, according to AOTS the cross bar has 5 ropes, so some space is left in between for the coils.

 

 

For the aft foremast bit of the same length, there are 17 pins for 16 ropes. It then looks like this:

 

 

This is McKay´s belaying sceme from one side to the other (with reference number of the AOTS):

 

108 Fore Yard Slab line 
211 Main Top Gallant Bowline
125 Fore Top Yard reef Tackle Pendant
free
148+140 Fore Top Gallant Tye + Fore Top Gallant Halyard
92 Jib Halyard
170 Main Yard Bowline
168  Main Yard Buntline
94 Fore Yard Truss Pendants
168 Main Yard Buntline
170 Main Yard Bowline
91 Jib Stay
free
131 Staysail Stay
125 Fore Top Yard reef Tackle Pendant
211 Main Top Gallant Bowline
108 Slab line Fore Yard

 

Can this be true? 
- Aren´t there too many pins on the cross bar?

- Too many ropes that could go somewhere else? Is the bit too narrow?

- Should there be less pins and some ropes being attached to same pins?

 

What does Steel say about the dimensions of the bits? Any other advice on bit dimensions and number of belaying points?

 

And therefor: What is the tightest spacing of of the belaying points/pins?

Questions about questions ...

 

XXXDAn

 

Edited March 18, 2021 by dafi

[mtaylor]

Just curious, Daniel.  I've seen on some ships where belaying pins (at least one per side) were on the outside of the bitts.   Does the Vic have these?  It might give some more room by putting one on "wings".

[Kevin]

im having the same issue on the Amerigo getting 20 pins into a rail where the kit has provided room for 7

Edited May 22, 2021 by Kevin