Securing Shroud Turn-Buckles

[SEMIJim]

Wondering what y'all use for securing the turn-buckles on your shrouds? The PO of our boat used small stuff (line), with reef knots. This is a PITA to get through the little holes in the adjustment screws and, if you don't... well, it simply doesn't accomplish anything. The little split rings I often see used work well, but you really should tape them. Not a very re-usable system. One boat I was on used tie-wraps. Works well, but again: Not re-cycle-able. And tie-wraps require diagonal cutters or a knife to get 'em off.

There was a "ring" I had once, maybe still do, somewhere, that consisted of two halves, hinged together, that snapped together opposite the hinge with kind of barbed ends. It actually locked-up pretty securely. ISTM something like that would be perfect. Tether it to the shroud with a length of small stuff so when it's off it doesn't wander away, and you'd be all set.

Jim

[TrueBlue]

I use cotter pins and curl the ends inward with the needle nose pliers on my Leatherman - cheap, fast, easy and dosen't require rigging tape.

[AboardIndigo]

I have old-style turnbuckles that have a stop-nut on the top and bottom. I understand that the newer-style open body turnbuckles with pins are a desirable upgrade, but I'm not sure why if the pins aren't easy to re-use.

What do you think?

Aboard Indigo

[CapnHand]

Stop nuts can work loose, cotter pins are more secure. Easy enough to re-use if you can straighten them out. Cheap enough to replace them if you can't, less than a cup of coffee at Tim's.

[svindigo]

We us cotter pins but shape them into a "C" that goes from the top stud to the bottom stud and bridges the cross bar in the middle of the turnbuckle. I'd use stainless welding rod if I could find it when I need it but this solution has been working for us. And just think of the money we save on cotter pins by only using 1 per turnbuckle!!

Ike
S/V Indigo

[Valiente]

I use largish cotter rings. I look at them enough to notice if they are moving, or have gone entirely.

At sea I would use cotter pins/split pins. All mast and related clevis pins use cotter pins to secure them. Tape well, and then if you don't see the tape, check out the pins!

[PBzeer]

I use cotter pins as well.

[Pipier]

Since we adjust them before each race, we need something easy to undo. Luckily the bases for our uppers and lowers are right next to each other. You just feed a piece of line through each turnbuckle and tie a square knot in it.

[sailingdog]

I use cotter pins for most of them, but rings on the ones that I tend to have to disassemble occassionally. I don't believe in taping turnbuckles or turning cotter pins in to curliques... 20˚ of split is all that is needed, and allows you to drive the pin out easily in an emergency, but will not shake free. A dab of silicone or other sealant on the tips of the pin keep it from snagging anything. Bending the tips inward and filing the corners also helps.

[NOLAsailing]

I tune my boat for the wind conditions before each race. I use "wrap pins" which are essentially cotter pins secured to a velcro strip. You press the pins through the holes in the turnbuckle stud and simply wrap the velcro onto itself. You can get a couple wraps and it's very secure.

I got mine from Layline and I paid about $20 for 8 wrap pins.

Another advantage is that you don't have to tape them. They will not tear a sail.