My shroud turnbuckle open bodies are the chrome over bronze where the chrome is pretty much worn away. I would like to replace them with 316 stainless. When one of our local riggers/suppliers browsed through his catalogues, it appeared that they were all chrome over bronze. I prefer to use a quality manufacturer like Johnson.... Is there a breaking strength concern for rigging between bronze versus stainless and is there a recommendation for a brand? (Hunter30 1/4" shroud wires)
Shroud Turnbuckle Material
- Thread starter Rick2413
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When i replaced my standing rigging this year i went with the open body bronze as the price to replace the orginal Navtec would have been about 100% more cost
OR 750 Vs 1500 dollars with no gain
The only down side is the Navtec had bigger threads in each wire size and the first time i wound up the open bodys i was supprised at the amount of torque it took to setup the mast
OR 750 Vs 1500 dollars with no gain
The only down side is the Navtec had bigger threads in each wire size and the first time i wound up the open bodys i was supprised at the amount of torque it took to setup the mast
Most Bronze turnbuckles Chrome or plain, are forged and are more ductile and resist stress corrosion.
Most stainless turnbuckles are made from tubing which is swaged. they are strong but more susceptible to stress corrosion and galling.
!/4" wire is pretty light so either will work but I would prefer the bronze. If you don't like the looks of them buy a plastic boot to go over them or if you really feel yachtY, sew on a leather boot.
Have fun
Joe S
Most stainless turnbuckles are made from tubing which is swaged. they are strong but more susceptible to stress corrosion and galling.
!/4" wire is pretty light so either will work but I would prefer the bronze. If you don't like the looks of them buy a plastic boot to go over them or if you really feel yachtY, sew on a leather boot.
Have fun
Joe S
You don't want to do that, and here's why
"Turnbuckles are best constructed of forged or machined bronze, which provides a good strong grip between the barrels and threads, as well as a soft surface that serves as a self-lubricant to facilitate adjustment...This strong recommendation contradicts the new (1987) popularity of stainless-steel and chromed bronze turnbuckles. Stainless steel SHOULD BE AVOIDED because the close tolerance on threads makes the turnbuckles very susceptible to "galling," or cross-threading, which leads to freeze-ups...Chromed bronze turnbuckles may look better, but they cost more than similar-size all-bronze turnbuckles. More important, the chroming weakens the critical threaded area. If you desire chromed turnbuckles, install the next size larger than the recommended bronze fittings."
Source: Desirable and Undesirable Characteristics of Offshore Yachts, John Rousmaniere (1987)
Garhauer now makes bronze turnbuckles with a chromed outer sleeve that are being used in new Catalinas. They'll sell 'em to ya even if you don't have a Catalina!
I saw them last weekend, and they are robust. It's essentially an open turnbuckle without the traditional shape, with the aforementioned cover. Picture's on their main home page: http://garhauermarine.com/
"Turnbuckles are best constructed of forged or machined bronze, which provides a good strong grip between the barrels and threads, as well as a soft surface that serves as a self-lubricant to facilitate adjustment...This strong recommendation contradicts the new (1987) popularity of stainless-steel and chromed bronze turnbuckles. Stainless steel SHOULD BE AVOIDED because the close tolerance on threads makes the turnbuckles very susceptible to "galling," or cross-threading, which leads to freeze-ups...Chromed bronze turnbuckles may look better, but they cost more than similar-size all-bronze turnbuckles. More important, the chroming weakens the critical threaded area. If you desire chromed turnbuckles, install the next size larger than the recommended bronze fittings."
Source: Desirable and Undesirable Characteristics of Offshore Yachts, John Rousmaniere (1987)
Garhauer now makes bronze turnbuckles with a chromed outer sleeve that are being used in new Catalinas. They'll sell 'em to ya even if you don't have a Catalina!
I saw them last weekend, and they are robust. It's essentially an open turnbuckle without the traditional shape, with the aforementioned cover. Picture's on their main home page: http://garhauermarine.com/
why would you want 316 SS turnbuckles? They're more prone to corrosion related failures than bronze and more prone to galling/crossthreading issues.
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