To boot or not to boot...turnbuckles

[chriscampbell]

Seems like there are varying opinions. On our H240 the original white plastic boots are crumbling at the bottom and the caps are falling off - they're just plain ugly. I'm thinking about just taking them off and leaving the turnbuckles exposed.

Anyone on here with a 240 or similar that has had any problems after doing so? I think the only ones that would ever be in contact with a sail are the upper reverse diagonals. I use cotter rings and not pins, so perhaps less likely to snag.

 

[rgranger]

To my thinking, boots only make sense as a measure against chafe on the sail. Otherwise, the boot is hiding a key piece of equipment from regular inspection.

 

[Don S/V ILLusion]

does your headsail really sweep the deck that low as to contact the turnbuckles?

 

[chriscampbell]

does your headsail really sweep the deck that low as to contact the turnbuckles?

Nope, that's exactly why I was thinking the boots are unnecessary.

 

[Don S/V ILLusion]

Nope, that's exactly why I was thinking the boots are unnecessary.

Good thinking!

the only reason I can imagine for covering them is to minimize foot damage while moving around on deck. If that isn’t a concern, no value added.

 

[Apex]

uncovered and use wrap pins

 

[Crazy Dave Condon]

I use to install turnbuckle boot covers on all my boats. Why? First to keep the ends of cotter pin ends from injuring hands, sails. Secondly I saw where lines grabbed the cotter pins and circular or rings eventually coming out. I was helping a fellow tuning when the upper shroud came loose and came apart from the turnbuckle

 

[peptobysmol]

Good to see you're still around CDC!!!

 

[novodka44]

Seems like there are varying opinions. On our H240 the original white plastic boots are crumbling at the bottom and the caps are falling off - they're just plain ugly. I'm thinking about just taking them off and leaving the turnbuckles exposed.

Anyone on here with a 240 or similar that has had any problems after doing so? I think the only ones that would ever be in contact with a sail are the upper reverse diagonals. I use cotter rings and not pins, so perhaps less likely to snag.

The boots help prevent the turnbuckle from kinking doing the mast raising process

 

[patbratton]

I second what Crazy Dave said. The turnbuckle parts can be replaced pretty easily, but the upper threaded rod is part of the shroud and they are a pain to have to measure and replace. My Hobie had chain plates and they were more rugged.

 

[bmorr]

Those covers also serve to keep the turn buckles aligned so when putting up the mast you don't have them buckling and bending. I have removed mine, but am very careful every thing is in proper alignment when raising the mast.

 

[Crazy Dave Condon]

I was racing on a friend’s sailboat when the upper starboard came loose that the jib sheet took off the cotter pin without being seen. I took my knife and cut the both sheet lines letting the halyards loosen with sails coming down. This was done to save the mast and to prevent loosing the mast and keeping all on board safe. When I became a sailboat dealer, I included shroud covers and turnbuckle boot covers as standard equipment

 

[Justin_NSA]

uncovered and use wrap pins

That's what I use

 

[Sail22Capri22]

Was thinking of getting the wrap pins for my Capri 22 they work ok?

 

[Justin_NSA]

They should. They come in various pin sizes. Also colors if that interests you. Mine are grey

 

[Dalliance]

There is no need for those covers other than possible cotter pin chafe prevention and ankle scrape protection. I got rid of mine at least a decade ago. No regrets. They were falling apart and hid the turnbuckles from easy visual inspection.

As for cotter rings on turnbuckles, except for trailer sailing, I don’t recommend them. When I first got rid of my covers, I tried cotter rings for a couple years and was unnerved when I saw how easily they can bend out of shape, and not just by snagging on a line. If a turnbuckle unwinds a quarter or half turn under load, it can mangle, potentially even sheer off, a cotter ring. I switched back to traditional cotter pins, heaviest gage that will fit, with a few wraps of rigging tape to protect feet and ankles.

 

[Project_Mayhem]

Do covers provide salt spray protection in saltwater environments or is this a non issue?

 

[Crazy Dave Condon]

Picture of wrap pins please.

Circular rings can and will be snagged
as I have been nailed by them to include sails.

Yes you can tape the cotter pins and circular but if the last wrap of any tape is too tight it will unwrap itself. Also never tape over the bottoms of the turnbuckle whhich can trap water which will cause corrosion damage to the studs and threads.

Yes boot covers help keeping salt water off most of the time

It is highly recommended to inspect the turnbuckles every time you get on a trailerable sailboat

 

[kappykaplan]

Also never tape over the bottoms of the turnbuckle which can trap water which will cause corrosion damage to the studs and threads.

 

[Justin_NSA]

Practical Sailor has an old '05 article on them

Wrap Pins - Practical Sailor

Since 1974, Practical Sailor’s independent testing has taken the guesswork out of boat and gear buying.

www.practical-sailor.com