Advice on turnbuckles

[Nicky17000]

Hello,

I'm in a dillema if I should replace the turnbuckles of the standing rigging.
There is no visible damage but I am aware that metal fatigue may not be visible to the naked eye.
The boat is a Hunter 23.5 (water-ballast), built in 1995.
It is rigged for the summer months only.
I don't want to go into unnecessary expenses.

So, to summarise the question.......What are the criteria to replace the turnbuckles?

Thanks

 

[Clark]

I think your profile means you are in Montana? How long has the boat been in fresh water? Usually, it is the swag that develops microscopic cracks and the turnbuckles are usually chromed bronze - sometimes stainless. Are they pitted? Are any bent? If the boat has spent most of the time in freash water and de-rigged about half the time at that; the turnbuckles should be good. Boats that have lived here all their lives, even rigged year round have quite sound rigging. Inspect the wire swages carefully and replace any bent or worn toggles or stays that have kinks or "meat hooks".

 

[cephius (Dave)]

Valletta is the capital city of Malta (MT) Fresh water for sailing will be rare

 

[Nicky17000]

Hi Clark,
As Dave said, I'm in Malta(tiny island-central meditteranean) so we barely have enough fresh water to drink.
We keep it on a mooring in an unprotected bay, that's why we rig it only for the summer. Actually, spring and autumn are the best sailing seasons here, but there is a high risk of short but severe northeasterly gales that would trash anyboat on a mooring outside the main marinas.

 

[Clark]

LOL ! i just glanced at your profile and

assumed MT was for the state. The advice still holds though; inspect everything paying especially close attention to the swages and wires.

Good Luck and Fair Winds,

Clark