Turnbuckle Paranoia

[LLOYD FERENCIK]

Since first purchasing my boat last year,I have found in myself new ailments and afflictions,the most recent being Turnbuckle Paranoia.Its predominate symptom being:How do I make sure there are enough threads remaing in the barrel of the turnbuckle as I adjust the mast?How much is actually needed? 1/2" or 1/4" or what?Is there a way to do the measurements Im sure I will be told to do while the mast is up?Another related problem is Mast Plumb Paranoia.The set up brochure says to get the mast vertical.Ive read elsewhere that slight rake to the stern is ok,rake forward is catastrophic.A lead sinker on a halyard with wind and wave action (with a shoal-draft keel I have wind and wave action when Im on my trailer)has indicated Im more or less ok but not enough to dispell my Paranoia.Any good ideas would let me get back to listening to the other voices in my head.Thanks,LLOYD

 

[Ben Allen]

Sit Down and Relax ........aaahhhhhh

Lloyd,On your first question, if you have closed turnbuckles, you can safety off one of the stay, disassemble the turnbuckle, and measure the threads. I would allow at least 1/2" on one of these. The best route is to change to open turnbuckles, here you can see how much thread is left, you need to have enough inside the turnbuckle to put a cotter pin or ring.As far as your second question, if the lead weight on the halyard isn't working, place a level on the mast. One other method would be to place yourself directly abeam of your boat about 20' - 30' away, hold a string with a weight on it in front of you taking a sight on your mast. Do this without anyone on your boat. Either method should get you pretty close.Ben AllenMontgomery, AL"Latte Dah"O 26