Turnbuckle Blues

[Mac Bentley]

In my quest to reduce the mast rake on my '87 h23, last Sunday I took the roller furling drum apart to get at the forestay turnbuckle. I found that my mast might literally be hanging by a thread. *yksThe stud from the toggle was not even showing through the lower part of the turnbuckle. I didn't have a good angle, but I could see a ways into the turnbuckle and couldn't see the stud. I immediately tied off the mast with the spare jib halyard -- the furler has an internal halyard -- and headed home as a storm rolled in.Went back today, loosened the backstay and shrouds and tightened the forestay as far as it would go. When the toggle stud finally broke through, there was no hole in it to put a cotter ring. Can that be right?Is this safe to sail? Obviosly, the toggle stud is not going to rotate, so if there's a ring through the forestay stud and around one side of the turnbuckle, am I good to go?Have had the boat a year and a half and have no idea how it got this way, but obviously I'll be checking that turnbuckle more often.Thanks,Mac

 

[Wanderer138]

A few thoughts

I'm a little confused. IF you tightened the turnbuckle as far as it could go, then the toggle stud should be hard up against the middle crossbar on the turnbuckle barrel. So how would the toggle stud "finally appear"?As far as the absence of a hole, I think that should still be OK because there's one on the forestay stud. A split pin or cotter ring there should prevent the entire turnbuckle barrel from turning. Just remember to check the pin/ring every so often to make sure it's still in good condition. Happy sailing.PeterH23 "Raven"

 

[Steve677]

I agree with Peter

The situation you described would have made anyone's splincter constrict! Sounds like you may have dodged a bullet! I agree with Peter: If the turnbuckle is pinned on either end, neither stud can turn. You should be fine. Good reminder to all of us to periodically check our shrouds and stays for proper tension and our turnbuckles and pins for wear.