Bottle screws, cheap vs expensive.

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SeaStu1

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While down at the boat today l looked at one of the bottle screws and noticed a hairline fracture where the thread enters the body at one end. I looked at the others and most of them seem to have gone the same way so time for replacement. This is the first yacht l've owned and the first time replacing bottle screws.

I started looking at replacements online tonight and the price varies a lot for the same type (8mm) is it a case of you get what you pay for, is cheap a false economy? I cruise only, pottering around, any thoughts?
 
If most of your screws are split I would say the ones you've got are cheap. I've only ever seen one split body and that was caused by the screw being forced too far in. Do you know how old your rigging is? If it could be 15 years or more then maybe you should look at getting the whole lot replaced.
 
SeaStu1 said:
The screws are Hasselfors 5/16 all stainless. I've had the boat 3 years and l'm unsure of what has been previously replaced. If they are original they are 29 years old!
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If the standing rigging is likely to be 29 years old inspect it very thoroughly/ be very suspicious of it/ budget to replace it soon or sooner
 
I totally second the comment about replacing rigging wire. We had yet another mast lost last weekend in club racing. I am not sure at this stage if it was rigging wire failure. For sure you will break the mast if the any wire or rigging screw fails.
Because of catastrophic follow on damage I consider rigging a really critical item. I would say yes replace the rigging screws if they are cracked and wire if it is old. As for cheap versus expensive. Well in tis day and age of Chinese imports you can not assume that cheap is bad expensive is good bt you may feel more confident with expensive rigging screws. (I have a set of 4 5/16 bronze body ss screw that I replaced last winter cos they were 32 years old. Probably quite OK still but now with them replaced I have more confidence. good luck olewill
 
SeaStu1 said:
The screws are Hasselfors 5/16 all stainless. I've had the boat 3 years and l'm unsure of what has been previously replaced. If they are original they are 29 years old!
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Hasselfors are good bottle screws and have a good reputation, why not just replace them with the same.
I have anja, norwegian bottle screws (with UNF threads) and they are good also and not ridiculously expensive.
Some I see, the more common ones are metric threads and seem to me, to be very coarse, which would be worse for "galling" however a liberal coat of aqualube on the threads should stop that.

I have to agree also, bronze and stainless are very good, but aqualube on all stainless alleviates the "galling" that is the main reason for bronze/stainless.
If that all makes sense.
 
If the bottle screws are showing signs of stress, I would worry that the rest of the rig could have problems.

I would look at getting the mast off and at least inspect it - but to be honest, for piece of mind, I would get the lot replaced by a professional. The last thing you want to be doing is worying about a rig failure when the wind pipes up.

I am having my standing rigging, along with the electrics, lights replaced on a 25' for about £1200.
 
SeaStu1 said:
The screws are Hasselfors 5/16 all stainless. I've had the boat 3 years and l'm unsure of what has been previously replaced. If they are original they are 29 years old!
Click to expand...

Did you have a survey when you bought the boat? Was the rigging mentioned then? You certainly need to replace the screws, and probably the rest of it. A good local rigger will usually inspect and advise for a nominal fee.
 
Hasselfors was taken over by Seldén several years ago, the bottlescrews are now sold under this name.
It seems however that they have stopped manufacturing of their all s/s screws in sizes under 1/2" (perhaps for a good reason?). Stainless/bronze screws, which are more expensive, are available in all sizes.
I found this thread a bit worrying, as my 7/16" Hasselfors s/s screws are now 33 years old. Inspect and oil every year though, no problems so far...
 
SeaStu1 said:
While down at the boat today l looked at one of the bottle screws and noticed a hairline fracture where the thread enters the body at one end. I looked at the others and most of them seem to have gone the same way so time for replacement. This is the first yacht l've owned and the first time replacing bottle screws.

I started looking at replacements online tonight and the price varies a lot for the same type (8mm) is it a case of you get what you pay for, is cheap a false economy? I cruise only, pottering around, any thoughts?
Click to expand...

When looking recently for small dinghy stuff, I was advised that the 'expensive' ones were 'tested', whilst the same looking cheaper ones, were'nt.
 
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