Question about Turnbuckles from two websites

[flyinbrian87]

hello, quick question about quality of turnbuckles on two different websites, with totally different prices.

Looking to replace all the turnbuckles on my Macgreggor 25'. I know I don't want cheap materials holding up my mast but wanted to know if anyone had experience comparing these two turnbuckles.


First one is from FIVE OCEANS.
http://www.five-oceans.com/articulo...nbuckle-jis-jaw-jaw-316-stainless-steel-/2947

Second one is from RIGGING ONLY.
http://www.riggingandhardware.com/p-43975-jaw-to-jaw-tfb-14-jaw-14-pin.aspx

Is the price difference simply a reflection on the quality of metal used? Construction? Country of production? I did replace one turn buckle with the FIVE OCEANS turn buckle and it held up all year, however it was defiantly lighter and used a smaller diameter bolt. It held up for a season but im wondering if they were ALL the cheap ones, will it have a better chance at failing?

Anyone ever outfit a trailer sailor with the cheapo ones? Thanks

 

[Brian S]

I use similar to the Rigging and Hardware item. I prefer that design with drilled holes in the ends of the studs so that cotter pins or ring-dings (no thank you) can be inserted to prevent unwinding. The Five Oceans seems to use lock nuts to snug the studs against the turnbuckle body. Not sure if there's a problem with that, but I like the idea of the cotter pins. Lock nuts might be easier to loosen and adjust than fiddling around with cotter pins, which are hella more easy to deal with than ring dings. But does that mean there's a greater chance of the lock nuts loosening?

Also, I think some open body turnbuckles like this have the body of the turnbuckle made of plated bronze. This would reduce the chances of the (316) stainless steel stud threads galling.

Perhaps someone will weigh in with some more substantial opinions on one versus the other than my vague assertions.

 

[justsomeguy]

No real-world experience with the two, but I'm struck by 5 Oceans' issue with the specifications of their turnbuckle. 2 different working load limits! Is it 500 lbs or 1760?

Rigging Only is a respected outfit, and the turnbuckle they offer has actual toggles to help maintain alignment, something that 5 Oceans claims their turnbuckle has, but really doesn't.

I vote R.O.

 

[flyinbrian87]

Wow, I didn't catch the discrepancy on the working load limits. I'm thinking pay a little more even if it's just "insurance" from a quality manufacturer. If they can't spec the product correctly I think they could also be careless in the production. Crappy wields, softer metal, etc.

 

[Charlie Jones s/v Tehani]

Have you checked this site? SBO sells turnbuckles too in the store here
Also Defender Industries,

Link to the store here-
http://shop.sailboatowners.com/search.php?brand=sailboat&kw=turnbuckles

 

[centerline]

I like the CS Johnson products.. its good quality stuff.

a mac 25 only needs 1 turnbuckle... on the headstay.
and for convienience, this should be replaced with a quick release lever similar to the one shown here.

the shrouds are perfectly rigged with simple shroud adjusters that they come equipped with, and if you need an adjuster on the backstay for racing purposes, its more convienient to rig a proper back stay as the many options available are quicker and easier to use than a turnbuckle....

its your boat and your money, but its my experience speaking here.... purchasing turnbuckles for the rigging on a mac25 is a waste of your money that would be much much better spent on the proper adjusters for the job on that model of boat....

why is this?... because once the rigging is set up properly, it never needs adjusting except to release/tension the headstay when rigging or de-rigging.... if you are racing and need to trim the mast a bit for sail shape, a split backstay adjuster cant be beat..... turn buckles are an expensive and unnecessary adjusting tool that is not needed on that boat.

 

[Bill Roosa]

The laod discrepancy is probably the differance between safe working load and design max load. These are not to be confused with the ultimate load which the device will see only once as it takes the material past its' eleastic limit and "bends it to the breaking point."
Safe working load is the load you can put on it any number of times and not suffer failure.
The design max load takes the device up to the eleastic limit of the material and will begin to induce stress fracturing. There are a limited number of times you can do this before it will fail without warning. Taking it to that load will also lower you safe working load every time you apply that size load so you are "consuming the device" when you exceed the safe working load.

 

[grandview846]

I have a 1992 Beneteau First with open turnbuckles. Would users recommend I replace them? Not sure what size they are or what size is recommended. I am only an occasional sailor, not a lot of experience.

 

[flyinbrian87]

I got the open style from riggingonly.com I absolutely love them. Sailed across the Long Island sound on them. Great deal. Great people. Highly recommended for a trailer sailor. Mine stays moored and tuned all year so it's not worth fiddling with the adjusters commonly found in macs. The turnbuckle is the way to go for a guy on a mooring.