Guard Wire Tensioner

[CharlotteRusse]

Can anyone tell me where I can get one of these please? One broke due to tarpaulin tied to guard wire in howling gale syndrome. Haven't found one in the Chandlery as yet.

Boat is at Emsworth so somewhere near would be nice.

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[poter]

Just a thought, if you send the pic to Jimmy Green, they should be able to help.
I have always found them really helpfull.

http://www.jimmygreen.co.uk/chandlery/index.html

poter

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[bob26]

Is a replacement a good idea? A rope lanyard allows you to tension and has the benefit that you can cut through it in an emergency.

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[brianhumber]

Or use Parrot hook fasteners again from JG, they can be opened in an emergency (or for old sods like me to assit getting on and off) simply by pulling the trigger and hey presto the wire is free.

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[CharlotteRusse]

Well rope is what I have replaced it with at the moment, but I'm having trouble getting enough tension on. I see your point though.

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[jerryat]

Hi!

I agree with Bob26, a small diameter rope would be far better (and cheaper!) and, as he remarks, can be quickly cut through in an emergency. I am really puzzled as to why you NEED a high tension in the guard lines. This puts an incredible strain on the stanchion bases, , and thus the deck connections, especially if the crew are leaning on them, and is IMHO unecessary. I believe sufficient tension to hold the lines (think of them as mere 'warning' lines) roughly level is all that is required and you will easily get enough tension using several turns of small diameter rope.

Just my thoughts!

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[graham]

If you use several strands of thin nylon cord it will be plenty strong enough and you will be able to pull enough tension into it by pulling up each turn hard before going around again.

When you consider that the masts on tall ships are held up by rope lanyards on the end of the shrouds.I allways used lanyards instead of bottlescrews on dinghys and small trailer yachts as bottlescrews tend to get bent when lowering /raising the mast.

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[SlowlyButSurely]

I've seen those tensioners at B&Q, but I would use a rope lashing. The eye on the end of the wire is designed for rope.

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[snowleopard]

if you really must have another like that, go talk to the guys at seateach by the station. i have to agree with the others though that lashings are a better bet.

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[boatless]

Also agree with lashiing, but do bear in mind that you shouldn't put too much tension in guardwires. It's a common mistake because it looks right and feels right - but consider how much the taut wire will tend to bend the stachions inwards. Especially when some moron stands on them to cross your boat!

<hr width=100% size=1>my opinion is complete rubbish, probably.

 

[CharlotteRusse]

Alright already, enough.

I'll use rope (and replace the other three good ones I suppose). Think the main problem with my current rope lashing is that the rope is too stretchy, so maybe a better bit of string will do the trick.

Thanks for the advice.

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[Dipper]

I agreed totally with jerryat. Remember that the guard rails go in curve following the shape of the hull and the wire won't want to go in a straight line.

If you use several passes of the thin rope from the wire to the pushpit and back you will easily have enough strength. 4mm 8-plait pre-stretched polyester rope for example has an average breaking load of around 400kgs so 10 of these will be 4tons (before anyone mentions it I realise some of the strength may be lost as a result of turning around the bends either end and in the knots!). I expect I have used about 20 turns on my boat.

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[LadyInBed]

Good choice.

To put some tension on the wire, put two loops of cord around the wire eye to the pushpit, one at 45º going up t’other at 45º going down. Use them as Spanish windlass whilst you make off the cord you are using in place of the ‘bottle screw’.

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[bob26]

Having started off the "why not use rope" business (its typical isn't it - you ask a simple factual question and get lectures you never asked for...people always want to tell you what they know not what you want to know) it ocurs to me I might well have one of these - or at least the bit that's broken. Is it the flat bit that's bust or the threaded forks?

If you aren't afraid ever to set foot afloat again without slack old rails hitched up with old bootlaces and dodgers which say "Sorry"
in luminous letters, pm me about the part and approx size and I'll see what I've got.


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[Benbow]

We need to keep this thread alive for a while because I believe there is a subscriber in Baluchistan who has not yet had his chance to say 'I think you should use string'.

Furthermore, I believe I have an answer to another unasked question; 'no I don't recommend a galvanised fittings to join two bits of stainless’.


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[bob26]

Re: galvanised and stainless

I think you have gone one better than everyone - you have answered a question that not only wasn't asked but I suspect is completely irrelevent since I think this is a aged plated bronze fitting with the silver wearing a bit thin rather than galvanised. I admire your style though.



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[LadyInBed]

Just because you started the thread doesn’t mean that others can't hi-jack it /forums/images/icons/laugh.gif

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[CharlotteRusse]

Actually I beleive I started it, but never mind.

Anyway in reply to Bob and others, this is the actual bit that broke. It appears to have a bronze core.

As it (and the other three) came with the boat I kind of assumed it was standard Moody fit so was surprised the Chandlers don't have them. After the rather astonishing number of replies this thread received (all saying use string) I guess it isn't normal after all.

You may all consider the question well and truly answered, if you like! Thanks again.

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[GrahamSC]

Hi
Last word possibly, but I was always aware that a lashing was correct for the safety
reasons. Another reason was to break the electrical loop that could affect the reception of radio signals. This was probably decca and radio beacon signals that were comparativley weak, not now a problem.
GrahamC

<hr width=100% size=1>Never recovered from loss of Tot, 1974

 

[Guest]

2mm braid passed around about dozen times and then bound with half-hitches.

But why not use over-centre pelican hooks ... which in fact are better than all - as you have quick release and tensioning
in one.


<hr width=100% size=1>Nigel ... and of course Yahoo groups :
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/gps-navigator/