Turnbuckle Question

[kclancy]

Hey Gang, after sailing last week for a couple of hours I notice that my shrouds had become loose by the end of the sail when I was breaking down the boat. A friend suggested that I needed to add some "keeper/jam" nuts to the toggles on both sides of the turnbuckle. I tried to do this, but I could not thread a nut on some of the ends of the toggles. However, the toggles screwed easily into the turnbuckles. I thought I might have the wrong threads on the nuts, and tried several different nuts to no avail.

Can I use a dye to re-thread the toggles?

Should I use cotter pins instead of the keeper nuts? I have open turnbuckles and thought this might be an easier option. The toggles all have a "hole" where a cotter pin can be positioned. My concern is that I am a trailer sailor (a new one at that) and it seems it would be a pain to adjust the shrouds/stays with the cotter pins. Do I really need to adjust the shrouds/stays much when I am just a beginner sailor? It seems reasonable that I could tension the shrouds/stays for "most conditions" and be good. With my experience, I probably will not notice much of a difference in tensioning. I am trying to keep everything (for now) as simple as possible.

Your thoughts are always appreciated!
Kevin

 

[kclancy]

OK - I think I figured out the jam nut problem. There are different threading patterns; right handed and left handed. I think this may be the cause of my problem. I am going to order some other nuts and see if that remedies the problem.

Still interested in thoughts about the jam nuts vs. cotter pins though.

 

[Justin_NSA]

I'm thinking straight or circular cotters would be better. There are wrap pins available also if you like to tweak often

 

[CloudDiver]

Jam nuts are fine and add extra protection but they are more difficult if you want to adjust often. You are correct, you need 1/4" 28 (Fine Thread) Left Hand thread for one side and standard Right Hand Thread for the other. You can order a bag of them from Fastenal or McMaster Carr (316 Stainless) for pretty cheap.
Regular cotter pins will secure them just as well, but again they are a pain to remove if you want to adjust. The pin wraps are pretty expensive to buy, I think $15 a pair at WM. I am going to make some using standard off the shelf products, a box of black Velcro and some stainless pins and do a DIY guide to making them. I have to source the pins because I'm looking for something better than just hot-gluing pins into the Velcro. I'll post it here when I figure it out.

 

[Justin_NSA]

Could you sew (lace) the velcro to the pins? I like their concept. A straight cotter with quick disconnect that also protects the sail. No need for rigging tape or those funky plastic tubes.

 

[CloudDiver]

Yeah, screw making them... I can't find the type of pin I need. If you buy them in 8 packs from APS that comes out to $3 each instead of $14 to $16 a pair from C.S. Johnson (they just buy them in bulk from the guys who invented SCAR pins and mark them up).
8 packs from APS are $25;
http://www.apsltd.com/sp2-scar-pin-1-16-quot-pin-8pk-gray.html

 

[Justin_NSA]

Wow! You saved me a lot of money! I need two sizes for my shrouds. 6 pins on each side and 4 aft !

 

[JRacer]

Could you sew (lace) the velcro to the pins? I like their concept. A straight cotter with quick disconnect that also protects the sail. No need for rigging tape or those funky plastic tubes.

These are what I use. Works well, easy to put on and remove to tune the rig.

 

[Jacktar]

Mine used to loosen, I am in a slip, but lots of guys just loop a hunk of seizing wire through the hole in the threaded ends inside the open turnbuckle to lock in the adjustment. Its easy, cheap and you can remove it quickly if needed. If you trailer the only one you need to adjust is forward lower anyway the others stay connected. The forestay may need adjustment but basically all the rest stay attached and do not need to be backed off to raise and lower the mast.

 

[TortolaTim]

I use stainless wire, picked a roll up at Ace Hardware for 5 bucks. Works like a charm

 

[Jacktar]

Yep, think I got mine at harbor freight for 3.95 but same idea.