To boot or not to boot...turnbuckles

[RussC]

two concerns with turnbuckle boot covers. (1) lack of visibility to inspect (2) captures moisture under them, promoting corrosion. the advantages are that they prevent the kinking of t-bolts and other hardware when raising the mast, they protect the circular rings or cotter pins from snags, and in some cases they protect the headsail from chafing.
not the best photo, but the only one I could find showing my solution, which I've been very happy with for the past 6-7 years since I fabricated mine from schedule 40 pipe, and installed them. your milage may vary

 

[Dalliance]

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

Good point. My turnbuckles are large enough and threaded in far enough that there is good drainage below the tape wrap on the bottom cotter pins. This would be an issue otherwise, and may be more likely on smaller size turnbuckles.