Securing Turnbuckles

[Roger Long]

I've lost track of the thread (not really, I'm just too lazy to look it up) where someone was asking for photos of the method I described for securing the turnbuckles on my boat. Here's how I do it with S.S. welding wire. A lifetime's supply of this useful stuff can be purchased for about 20 bucks.

Sheets run easily over the rod on the outside and the ends are tucked inside the turnbuckle body where they can't snag anything. It's easy to re-bend for adjustments but so cheap that I put new keepers on each spring.

You can do it the same way with traditional pattern turnbuckles.

 

[All U Get]

Hi Roger,
Your picture surely explains why I couldn't figure out what you were saying. The rod size would be different for my boat and much simpler than what I had in mind. Thanks. Did you notice the three masted galleon (?) in need of paint near the Promanade this spring?
All U Get

 

[Roger Long]

Did you notice the three masted galleon (?) in need of paint near the Promanade this spring?

When you have a couple spare hours, go to the Wooden Boat Magazine Forum and search for "Raw Faith". It will be worth it.

 

[BobM]

Thanks for the photo Roger, I asked for it. Looks like a great idea. I may have to ditch the rest of my closed body turnbuckles first, but that is definitely on my to do list.

 

[Hermit Scott]

Thanks for the photo Roger, I asked for it. Looks like a great idea. I may have to ditch the rest of my closed body turnbuckles first, but that is definitely on my to do list.

I had a closed body turnbuckle fail on my backstay in April. The lower "y" shaped part landed on my wife's head. She was not happy. I almost lost the rig, but the mainsail was up and kept the tension.
The stud that screwed into the top portion failed right at the top of the closed body turnbuckle.
when I took some SS pins out of the lower section of the Y, they wouldn't even come out without crumbling to pieces. The swage held but was cracked all over.

 

[BobM]

Unfortunately they are standard equipment on S2 9.2's from what I have seen. I plan to replace my rig next time the mast is down (within a few years tops), but am strongly considering replacing at least the turnbuckles and their attachments to the chain plates in the mean time.

 

[Ducati]

Turnbuckle pin wraps.

Go to Mauri Pro Sailing. The sell some very cool turnbuckle pins that are attached to a velcro wraps. Racers use them because they can't catch/rip their expensive sails and also because they can make quick adjustment to their rig between races.

They are not cheap but neither is having to fix a torn sail too.