Rigging bottle screws

[Guest]

It's about time I renewed my shrouds this winter. When I did the backstay I was recommended to Chrome/Bronze bottle screws rather than Stainless steel. Does it make a difference? Who cares!! Any thoughts?
Thank you and Merry Christmas

 

[PaulJ]

Threads in Stainless steel have an infuriating tendency to seize when you try to move them under great strain. The two parts actually seem to weld together and cannot be moved and when this happens the bottle screw has to be thrown out. This does not happen with bronze. I am told (though I don't have any figures) that bronze is actually stronger and that the best bottle screws are bronze. I believe you can get screws in which the body is bronze and the screws are stainless..... though I guess this could present a corrosion problem.

 

[Guest]

Paul, thanks. I had exactly that problem with the SS screw on the backstay, hence the question. I think the alternative is a chrome/bronze mix, but I'd love to hear some views on the subject...

 

[J_Priedkalns]

Bronze bottle screws are used to prevent "galling" of threads when used with stainless material and there is no corrosion problems. The chrome on the bronze is for appearance only!

 

[Guest]

Thank you. Mind you the chrome would be in keeping with the rest of the boat......

 

[charles_reed]

Bronze, it is generally accepted, is far better than stainless for the following reasons:

1. Less susceptible to fatigue fracture
2. No chances of crevice corrosion
3. Easier adjustment
4. If in aluminium bronze, about 20% stronger than stainless.
They're usually chromed, though this does tend to wear odd after a few years.
They are about x2 the price of SS turnbuckles.