Turn Buckle Pins

[weephee]

I'm fairly new to sailing my own boat and I've had to tune the stays on a regular basis, frequency depending on wind conditions etc. What is a PITA for me is removing the cotter pins from the ends of the threaded links. What would be the downside of having a tightening nut on each end of the turnbuckle. Would that not stop the turnbuckle from turning and loosening off the stays Safety rings are too large for my turnbuckles but I also found in the Sail & Rig Tuning book a patent clevis pin which is a semi circular band with a pin sticking out from it. ( I haven't been able to find where they are for sale) Does anyone use something other than split pins or safety rings.
Thanks

[tommays]

I have always used the rings without issue and buy them in bulk bags from mcmaster Carr as they have both styles in many sizes

[BigZ]

Something like this?
Johnson Wrap Pins

I use locking nuts, but the pieces in the above link would appear handy if you change settings a lot. I'm more a "set once and forget" kind of guy when it comes to shroud tension.

[mitiempo]

weephee

What kind of boat do you have that needs constant rig tuning?

[weephee]

My boat is a 27 ft Columbia. Any time I take it out in moderate winds the stays are not as tight as they were before so I tighten them up again. Maybe the stays are stretching. The Johnson Wrap Pins are what I was looking for. Anyone ever use them. Thanks

[mitiempo]

It is rare for rigging wire to stretch much after the first while.

I would be very careful that you're not collapsing either the cabintop or mast step, a common failure on older boats. As the rigging gets tighter something has to give.

[JimsCAL]

I agree with mitiempo. Something is changing in the boat that shouldn't. In addition to the cabin top and mast step, check that the chainplates aren't moving.

[zz4gta]

Yes I've used them. They work, but it's just a pin connected to a peice of velcro.

[knothead]

Originally Posted by weephee

What would be the downside of having a tightening nut on each end of the turnbuckle.

The only thing I don't like about lock nuts on a turnbuckle is that they increase the pressure that is already exerted on the threads of the turnbuckle.

I recommend CSJ circular pins without the pig tail.

Johnson Marine Hardware Online Virtual Catalog: Page 42

[weephee]

Thanks for the replies. I think my problem has been that the shrouds and the stays were never tight enough but they are now. Is the purpose of the pin to stop the turnbuckle from actually turning. If so, the rings wouldn't likely do that unless they are big honking ones which then wouldn't fit in the holes. I thought they were to prevent the threads from being totally unscrewed from the turnbuckle. Please remember that I'm not a long time sailor. Just learning Thanks