Strange shroud hardware.

[L124C]

Noticed this hardware on the rear shroud of an Ericson and didn't like the look of it. Don't like the angle at which the shroud bends forward above the hardware either! (I'm holding another unrelated cable out of the way of the shot) Seems like it turns the shroud 90 degrees too far to maintain a natural line. To my eye, the rigging looks very tired in general. But then...I'm no Rigger. What does it do (other than obviously connecting the shroud to the boat). Is it necessary and/or legitimate?
Edit: I no sooner posted this, than it occurred to me it must be a quick release to lower the mast using a Tabernacle! Still don't like the look of it!

[svHyLyte]

That is a Hyfield Lever designed to easily release a stay or shroud that can be set up tightly. The rust may or may not be significant. t can easily be removed with Wink or Spotless Stainless Steel cleaner After which the wire can be inspected. Considering the size of the wire and turn-buckle, it would cost very little to replace the wire if is is very old and might be a wise precaution and an open barrel turn-buckle is preferable.

FWIW...

[Squidd]

Is it just the picture color, or is that a rusty brown cable...? It looks terible from here...

[sea_hunter]

Originally Posted by L124C

Noticed this hardware on the rear shroud of an Erickson and didn't like the look of it. Don't like the angle at which the shroud bends forward above the hardware either! Is it necessary and/or legitimate?
Edit: I no sooner posted this, than it occurred to me it must be a quick release to lower the mast using a Tabernacle! Still don't like the look of it!

Yes, it's legitimate; it's a Pelican Hook. Google it.
It's not a Hyfield Lever. Google it.

[alpatn@gmail.com]

If this were any part of my rig I'd be more concerned about the rusty eye on the deck this attaches to. this hardware is not prudent to hold up any rig. only quick releases used in standing rigging may be for a inner fore stay. get rid of it. That wire & rust at the turnbuckle I wouldn't consider 1 minute before recomending replacment.

[Squidd]

Is the color spectrum on my computer screen off, or is no one concerned about the rusty crusty cable..?

I know this thread is about the hardware, but that cable should be reason enough to scrap the rigging...

[MedSailor]

EEK!

I like creative, home-grown solutions, but not when they're holding the rig up!

Doesn't look suitable for a flag halyard to me. The padeye isn't strong, it's not a hayfield lever by any stretch, the wire is rusty, and what kind of wire is that anyway???

This reminds me of when I was shanghaied into sailing a death-trap of a Bayliner buccaneer in 20+kt winds. The winds were probably closer to 25kts when I looked back and saw one of the two backstays being held on by a shackle that had was being side loaded and was missing it's pin!

MedSailor

[jgeissinger]

Like Sea Hunter said, it's a pelican hook. (and "Ericson" doesn't have a "k")

[SloopJonB]

It's a pelican hook doubling as a makeshift Highfield lever. The bending moment that has warped the whole lashup is caused by the fact that the toggle has been has been negated by the slip lock ring that keeps the lever closed. Instead of being free to swivel and line up the turnbuckle and wire with the load path, it is trapped at the level of the ring - the bending force now runs through the middle of the turnbuckle. If a toggle isn't free to flex, it might as well not be there.

I agree the wire looks pretty suspect as well - oxidation around the throat of the swage.

At a minimum, take it apart, polish the parts thoroughly until shiny bright and check them under high magnification for any sort of cracks - VERY fine cracks are just as bad as big nasty looking ones. If it all passes, open up the turnbuckle far enough to pin the toggle to that chainplate - that will allow the rigging to flex properly. Leave the pelican hook and the shackle out entirely.

[sea_hunter]

Originally Posted by SloopJonB

It's a pelican hook doubling as a makeshift Highfield lever.

It's a simple pelican hook doubling as itself. Both Defender and WM sell this albeit a more modern design. A highfield lever, stretches and binds rigging; with a pelican hook the rigging tension is set, allowing the rigging to be connected and disconnected (for lowering the mast) without having to adjusting the tension on the turnbuckle.