Thorn Boat Bimini Quick Release Pin with Lanyard (4 PCS), Stainless Steel Top Pin, Marine Hardware for Deck Hinge

Why I switched to quick-release pins

After too many trips fumbling with cotter pins and clevis clips on my boat’s bimini hardware, I swapped them for Thorn’s quick-release bimini pins. I wanted something that would speed up setup and breakdown at the dock, survive saltwater, and not disappear overboard the first time I dropped it. This four-pack has been on my boat for a full season now, and it’s the rare small hardware upgrade that changes the day-to-day experience for the better.

Build and corrosion resistance

The pins are 316 stainless steel, which matters in saltwater. Lesser alloys pit and tea-stain quickly; these haven’t. After months of coastal use and lazy rinsing, there’s no rust, no seized detents, and the finish still looks clean. The wire retaining rings are also stainless and feel stout rather than flimsy.

Each pin uses a spring-loaded detent ball at the tip. Pressing the pin through a hinge or bracket compresses the ball; once it clears the far side, the ball re-extends to resist backing out. There’s no fussy cap or button to manage, and no tiny parts to lose. The included 1-inch ring makes them easy to grip with wet hands or gloves.

The set comes with four identical pins, pre-attached lanyards, and small screws for anchoring the lanyards to a deck fitting or hinge base. The lanyards are the unsung hero here: they keep the pins tethered, which means you can pull one out, set it down, and not worry about a splash followed by regret.

Fit and sizing notes

Sizing is straightforward but worth measuring before you buy:

• Pin diameter: 1/4 inch
• Overall pin length: 1.5 inches
• Usable length: roughly 0.78 inch
• Ring diameter: 1 inch

These drop into most standard bimini deck hinges and jaw slides designed for 1/4-inch pins. The “usable length” spec is important—if your hinge stack-up (bracket thickness plus bimini fitting) is much thicker than three-quarters of an inch, you’ll want a longer pin. In my case—deck hinge plus cast bimini end fitting—they sit just right, with the detent ball fully through the far wall.

A tip on hole tolerance: the detent only works if the hole is close to 1/4 inch. Oversized holes don’t give the ball much to bite on, which can lead to slop. On one plastic cast fitting, my factory hole was annoyingly tight; a light pass with a sharp 1/4-inch bit cleaned it up and the pins now slide freely without binding. Deburr both sides so the detent ball isn’t scraping.

Installation and day-to-day use

Installation is mostly “swap and go.” I anchored each lanyard to a nearby screw on the hinge base using the provided hardware, ensuring the cable had enough slack to allow the pin to rotate and pull straight out. On the water, the routine is now simple: pull the ring, remove the pole or fold the top, and drop the pin back in when you’re ready. No poked fingers, no dropped clips, and no rummaging in a cupholder for a pin that rolled away.

One small behavioral note: if you leave the pins hanging loose on their lanyards, they can swing and scuff gelcoat. I now park each pin through an unused hole or a small eye strap so the metal doesn’t dangle against the hull. It keeps things tidy and avoids cosmetic scratches.

In use, the detent action has been consistent. One pin arrived slightly stiff—nothing dramatic, but it took a few cycles for the detent to feel as smooth as the others. A tiny drop of silicone-safe lubricant on the tip and ring joint helped. Since then, all four operate with a clean, positive snap.

Durability and maintenance

After repeated saltwater trips:

• No visible corrosion or pitting on pins, rings, or detent balls
• No spring fatigue in the detent mechanism
• No wire ring bending or deformation

I give them a quick freshwater rinse when I rinse the boat and that’s been enough. If you’re storing long-term, a light film of corrosion inhibitor on the pin shaft won’t hurt and won’t gum up the detent.

The lanyards and crimps have also held up well. I tugged on them harder than necessary to check the crimps and didn’t see any slippage. If you anchor the lanyard to a moving bimini joint, make sure the cable can’t get pinched during folding.

On-water security

On a bimini, the loads are mostly shear through the hinge holes, and these pins handle that just fine. There’s no rattle in a properly sized hole, and the detent ball does its job to resist walkout from vibration. I’ve run in chop with the top up and down; I haven’t had a pin back out or rotate itself into a precarious position. I still give each ring a quick fingertip check before getting on plane—good practice with any removable hardware.

Versatility beyond the bimini

These are handy beyond the top. I’ve used them to temporarily secure a removable fishing seat, pin a small boarding ladder, and hold a hatch support. As long as the component expects a 1/4-inch pin and isn’t in a high-shock safety-critical role (think trailer couplers or tow points), they’re a quick, clean solution. They also make sense in RVs and trucks for brackets that get removed often.

Drawbacks and nitpicks

• Fit sensitivity: Because they rely on the detent ball, hole sizing matters. If your hardware is worn oval or significantly oversized, you’ll get play. The fix may be bushing the hole or replacing the worn fitting.
• Potential for cosmetic scuffs: The very feature that saves pins—the lanyard—can mark gelcoat if you let them swing free. Anchor them thoughtfully or “park” the pin.
• Limited usable length: The overall length is 1.5 inches, but the effective length is under an inch. Measure your stack-up before expecting them to bridge thick brackets.

None of these are dealbreakers, but they’re worth planning for to avoid surprises at the dock.

Buying advice

• Measure your existing pin diameter with calipers if possible. A 5/16-inch hinge won’t play well with a 1/4-inch pin.
• Check “usable length,” not just overall length. You want the detent ball fully through the far side of the fitting when installed.
• Inspect and clean the holes. A quick deburr makes a big difference in how smooth these feel.
• Mount lanyards so the pins have a “home” when not in use. An inexpensive eye strap near the hinge works well.
• Keep one spare in the glove box. It’s a four-pack—use the extras as insurance.

Value

For a four-pack of 316 stainless pins with tethering hardware, this set lands in the “easy win” category. You’re getting corrosion resistance that should last multiple seasons, hardware that genuinely speeds up setup and teardown, and a tidy safeguard against loss overboard. It’s a small upgrade that pays for itself in convenience and reduced frustration.

Final recommendation

I recommend the Thorn bimini pins for anyone who regularly removes or folds their boat’s bimini top or needs a quick, secure 1/4-inch pin solution elsewhere on the boat. The 316 stainless construction has held up flawlessly in saltwater, the detent action is reliable, and the included lanyards prevent the all-too-common “plop” into the drink. Measure your hardware to confirm the 1/4-inch size and usable length are right for your application, and plan a simple lanyard anchor point to keep the pins from swinging. With those small considerations, these pins are a practical, low-cost upgrade that reduces hassle every time you head out.