Cleaning turnbuckles - safety

[RJJ]

Hi team

I am minded to clean out and regrease the turnbuckles when I retune the rig.

Mast is keel-stepped; there are also diagonal shrouds (lowers).

Can I assume it's safe (if not windy) to undo the shrouds one by one, and that the deck support and lowers will stop the mast falling over? I can also take a halyard to a midships cleat if needed.

Thanks indeed.

 

[BobnLesley]

Can I assume it's safe (if not windy) to undo the shrouds one by one. Yes

the deck support and lowers will stop the mast falling over? Yes

Can also take a halyard to a midships cleat if needed. Not necessary for what you're proposing, but certainly won't do any harm; I like do this when I need to climb a mast whilst a shroud is disconnected or removed

 

[vyv_cox]

I rebedded my cap and lower chainplates with the mast up. Taking a halyard to a midships cleat is a good precaution, although in my case I took it to the cradle when ashore. Full account is on the website.

 

[Poignard]

I often do it. Detaching one at a time is fine.

In fact Emsworth Yacht Harbour staff used to launch yachts after winter lay-up with their masts down, step the mast with a crane, attach the forestay and aft lower shrouds only and take them to their berths in the marina for the owner, or rigger, to complete attaching the other shrouds and the backstays.

I never heard of this causing any problem and I was quite happy for them to do this to my yacht.

 

[RJJ]

Thanks, seems like unanimous agreement.

 

[knuterikt]

You should loosen the turnbuckles in pairs to avoid bending the mast. One turn on each side until it’s a slack enough to be removed. When tightening do one turn each side.1
Measure the distance between the stems on the forks or mark the adjustment using tape before you start.

 

[RJJ]

You should loosen the turnbuckles in pairs to avoid bending the mast. One turn on each side until it’s a slack enough to be removed. When tightening do one turn each side.1
Measure the distance between the stems on the forks or mark the adjustment using tape before you start.

Thanks!

 

[Catalina36]

In fact Emsworth Yacht Harbour staff used to launch yachts after winter lay-up with their masts down, step the mast with a crane, attach the forestay and aft lower shrouds only and take them to their berths in the marina for the owner, or rigger, to complete attaching the other shrouds and the backstays.

I never heard of this causing any problem and I was quite happy for them to do this to my yacht.

I'm not sure if it was Emsworth but I remember reading of a case where they tried and failed to get the bottlescrews on with the mast supported by a crane and after a bit off puzzlement it turned out that the boat had been put in the water with hoses disconnected on seacocks because a note through the office door to defer matters had been overlooked. As they went round trying to do up screws, it settled further. It all ended well.

 

[William_H]

Yes an excellent idea to clean and grease turnbuckles (AKA turn screws) each winter. I think there is nothing so dismaying as a broze bodied barrel with SS screws where corrosion etc has made the barrel impossible to turn after years of no movement. A bit of exercise and grease is a good investment. Mast should be fine with one shroud at a time released but as said ease tension in a balanced way. ol'will