Closed body turnbuckle tool

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Darkarcher

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Jul 28, 2013
19
Catalina 22 Ross Barnett Reservoir
What tool do you use to tighten a closed body turnbuckle?

I was using a small phillips screwdriver to make adjustments. I have been working on my boat through the winter months and will be restepping the mast later this month. I want to make sure that the cables are tuned correctly and I am curious. I don't seem to be able to find a formal "Turnbuckle Tightening tool"

Thanks
DA
 
Gene Neill

Gene Neill

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Sep 30, 2013
3,585
1988 Catalina 22 North Florida
I use a 3/16" wrench to hold the shroud, Phillips screwdriver to turn the body.

And a Loos gauge, although I don't use it every time.

EDIT: Oh wait, you said CLOSED body. Mine are open. On my old boat, I used a bent nail on the closed body turnbuckles. :)
 
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Stu Jackson

Stu Jackson

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Feb 26, 2004
22,996
Catalina 34 224 Maple Bay, BC, Canada
DON'T DO IT.

Get RID of those closed body turnbuckles.

They are notorious for failure.

Get open bodied turnbuckles.

A friend of mine lost his forestay on windy SF Bay and was wise enough to immediately turn downwind and save his rig.

The very next week I took my Catalina 25 in to get re-rigged. As the yard guy was removing the backstay closed body turnbuckle, it simply snapped and disintegrated.

Get RID of those closed body turnbuckles.
 
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D

Darkarcher

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Jul 28, 2013
19
Catalina 22 Ross Barnett Reservoir
For a Cat 22 what open bodied turnbuckle would you suggest. I have seen "chromed bronze" but I haven't really been in the turnbuckle market.
 
CloudDiver

CloudDiver

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Sep 8, 2014
2,551
Catalina 22 Swing Keel San Diego
Darkarcher said:
For a Cat 22 what open bodied turnbuckle would you suggest. I have seen "chromed bronze" but I haven't really been in the turnbuckle market.
Click to expand
You don't need to replace the entire turnbuckle, just the body. If they are very old and have possible crevice rust then buying 8 new ones might be a good idea. Here is a resource where you can buy all new turnbuckles, or just the open-bodies for less $$$. I'm not sure they are the cheapest, but they are the most competitive prices I have found outside of sale discounts.
https://www.riggingandhardware.com/c-639-turnbuckles.aspx
 
C

CaptDon01

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Nov 19, 2008
2,129
Catalina C-22 MK-II Parrish, FL
Just a suggestion.....why not replace your closed body turnbuckles with these open body turnbuckles. All you should need are the bodies. I've purchased these and they are high quality, polished 316 stainless steel, and less than $6. apiece, with free shipping. And I always get their e:mails for an extra 15% and occasionally 20% off my order.

http://www.marinepartdepot.com/boof316ststo.html

Don
 
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