Things are about to get tight...

Sep 24, 2018
2,601
O'Day 25 Chicago
One of my sidestay turnbuckles is having issues with the threads. I figured now is a good time to replace all of them. What kind of SWL should I look for for the inner and outer stays? My O'Day uses 5/32" wire to give you an idea of the loads
 
Jan 11, 2014
11,422
Sabre 362 113 Fair Haven, NY
Talk to your rigger. 5/32" wire should be fine. For freshwater you can use 304 SS or 316.
 
Sep 24, 2018
2,601
O'Day 25 Chicago
5/32" is the size of the wire that's used on the boat. I plan on replacing the turnbuckle body and lower T-bolt. The shrouds and swaged fitting are in good shape so I'll leave those be for now. Approximately what safe working load should the new parts be rated for? Rigger didn't want to come out to the marina just to sell me a few turnbuckles. I can't blame him
 
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Jan 11, 2014
11,422
Sabre 362 113 Fair Haven, NY
What size are the studs on the rigging? Turnbuckles are sold by stud size.
 

capta

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Jun 4, 2009
4,773
Pearson 530 Admiralty Bay, Bequia SVG
Now I'm confused. What are you working on, side stays are shrouds?
 
Jan 1, 2006
7,074
Slickcraft 26 Sailfish
Here are specs for turnbuckle for 5/32' wire. Breaking strength 2800 lbs. The 1X19 wire in 5/32" 316 steel is around 3,000 lbs. In 302 or 304 steel it's around 8,000 lbs. (I didn't realize there was such a difference). You can, of course use a larger turnbuckle but it has to screw on the swaged stud. Sizing the turnbuckle for 8,000 lbs would be massive overkill.
15% of 2800 is around 450 which seems reasonable.
Specs curtesy of West Marine and are quoted as approximate and subject to errors in my memory as I toggle back and forth.
 
Jan 11, 2014
11,422
Sabre 362 113 Fair Haven, NY
Turnbuckles can not match the strength of the wire as turnbuckles are typically chrome (or some other shiny metal) plated bronze. This prevent galling that could happen if the turnbuckles were SS. It also means the the turnbuckle threads will strip or get cross threaded before the SS studs will. Much cheaper to replace turnbuckles than wire with swages on most boats.

Shround tension is usually about 12-15% of wire breaking strength, with 304 wire the tension would be 1500 lbs which would be 50% of the turnbuckles breaking strength. However, 1500 lbs of tension would likely be overkill for a Catalina 22.
 
Sep 24, 2018
2,601
O'Day 25 Chicago
Sorry for the confusion. I had my terminology mixed up. To clarify, I'm working on the sidestays. This is on an O'Day 25. The Threads on the T-bolts are 1/4-28. This is a freshwater boat so as Dave suggested, 316 is not necessary. At this time I'm only looking to replace the turnbuckle body and lower T-bolt.
 
Jun 29, 2010
1,287
Beneteau First 235 Lake Minnetonka, MN
I went to Garhauer for mine. Just told them the size I needed and the sent them out.