J 24 Shroud / Turnbuckle Questions

[Drake76]

Hi again,

I have gotten my mast up finally. I am happy to see progress and the signal that summer is nearly here.

Seeing as I bought a used boat, I am sorry to report that I am missing a part

The last owner decided that I didn't need all the turnbuckles.. where to find new ones?

From my reading on the internet, I see that there are 2 types of connectors between the shrouds and the chainplate. Somewhere back in the day, Jboats transitioned from one type of turnbuckles to another. For reference, my boat is a 1984.

What I have is a shroud, with a turnbuckle attached to it, and a "male" bolt with two threaded ends and a flat spot at the mid point for a wrench to grab onto.

I am missing the lower turnbuckle and the shackle? to attach to the chainplate.

If I had been smarter, I would have taken a photo to explain this. Anyhow, I am in Canada, and I would like to get this part ordered sooner than later.

Can anyone tell me what the proper names for these 2 pieces that I am missing are? Would you suggest someone to purchase it from?

I am also missing the turnbuckle for the upper life line. I suppose the last fellow couldn't part with that either...

Thanks for the help gang.

[mitiempo]

You need a turnbuckle body and the forked end that attaches to the chainplate. Here's a link to Holland Marine Products. They are in Toronto. Their entire catalog is at the link and can be downloaded. You will probably have to order a complete turnbuckle.

[tap]

You probably have the older navtec style turnbuckles. Check out this catalog of navtec turnbuckles. Yours probably looks like the C500 turnbuckle. Sounds like you have the D510 swage body on the ends of your shrouds and a D320 screw, but need the D531 turnbuckle eye with toggle. I think it's part D531-1010 that you want, 5/16" thread to 5/16" pin.

Or you could consider this an opportunity to get new shrouds with normal turnbuckles.

[sailor50]

1984, with Navtec turnbuckles and rigging screws - sounds original - you're pushing your luck as it is 2010 now! I would go over everything with a fine toothed comb so to speak.

[hellosailor]

Canada, eh? Then you'll be needing all metric fittings too, eh? (VBG)

There's no telling what the boat was built with as opposed to what might have been replaced over the years. Stainless turnbuckles are subject to invisible crevice corrosion and sudden failure as they age out, typically by 20 years, so while you may be on a budget, I'd suggest replacing all the turnbuckles AND the standing rigging unless it has also been replaced in the last 10 years, 15 at most.

There are some vendors like Layline who cater to the J/24 crowd. I'd check with them--and yes, take some digital photos that can be emailed to confirm what you've got. Assuming you will be doing some one design racing, or at least that there are some other J/24s in your area, it might pay to see what they've got and how it compares while you are at it.

If all else fails--call J/boats. They really are aces at customer support, and they will be able to give you definite answers.

[Drake76]

Thanks for the suggestions and replies. Based on what I have been reading, I would have to agree that Navtec is what I have. That being said, I would think that they are likely the original. I think this because whomever owned this boat prior to me was a racer, and had he replaced the shrouds, he wouldn't have gone with Navtec, right?

I have included pictures of my turnbuckle/shroud arrangement. I am only missing one on the starboard side (inside).

[tommays]

Its Navteq and due to cost

Myself and most people go with open-body bronze

I paid 700 from HALL IN 2009 AND if you go new they will need the old to measure due to boat to boat variation

[Gary M]

Those are Navtec I have the same on my 1984 boat. You can still get the parts but they are expensive (about 125) however you only choice is Navtec or a new shroud (about 200)

Where are you located? Any decent rigger or marine shop should be able to help you out.

[Drake76]

I am located in Northern Ontario, but that may as well be the moon as I would need to import a rigger...

[mitiempo]

While I realize the Apollo astronauts used the area around Sudbury to practice before going to the moon, because of its similarity to the moon's surface, there has to be a rigger reasonably close if there are boats and water.