Rigging replacement - Do I need new turnbuckles ? when replacing old standing rigging ?

[name]

Title says it all - Rigging replacement - Do I need new turnbuckles ? when replacing old standing rigging ?

They are old but they look fine, the threads are neither stripped nor stretched.

Thanks for your thoughts, Pete.

 

[vyv_cox]

Inspection for cracks is advised. Macroscopic examination may be sufficient if done carefully, dye penetrant would be better but can be difficult to do well.

 

[Sea Change]

I'm interested in this too. I've re-rigged two boats. On the first one everything was of unknown age, and it was only a small boat, so I stumped up the money and replaced the screws along with everything else.
On the second boat, I knew that the screws dated from the previous re-rig making them 13yrs old. They looked in fine condition. Being a bigger boat, the additional cost would have been substantial. So I kept the old screws.

I'm now about to re-rig a third boat and having the same debate again...

 

[fredrussell]

I seem to recall reading (on here) that if they’re chromed bronze turnbuckles they can be re-used, but if they’re stainless it’s prudent to replace them with standing rigging.

 

[KevinV]

I had mine inspected by the rigger - we scrapped 2 out of 6

 

[Sea Change]

I had mine inspected by the rigger - we scrapped 2 out of 6

What did they find?

 

[KevinV]

What did they find?

One damaged thread on the inside end where the split pin had been snapped off instead of removed. Other one tiny crack at the outer end - more serious because it showed side loading at some point.

Chrome on bronze - he said they'd probably be fine, but as he had some in the parts bin he picked out a better pair for me

 

[Sea Change]

I seem to recall reading (on here) that if they’re chromed bronze turnbuckles they can be re-used, but if they’re stainless it’s prudent to replace them with standing rigging.

My understanding is that stainless shouldn't be used at all. Maybe ok for things like guardwires.

 

[geem]

I decided to replace my bronze turnbuckles when I discovered a crack in one. They were old. Once I removed the four I was replacing, I discovered 3 out of the 4 were cracked. The next ones are far more robust bronze turnbuckles with a lot more material.

 

[Laysula]

Just had mine re rigged, two of the original turnbuckles had very faint hairline cracks radiating from the sharp internal corners, so we replaced all of them. Modern turnbuckles don't have square corners any more for the same reason that De havilland changed to round windows from square on their Comets.

 

[thinwater]

My understanding is that stainless shouldn't be used at all. Maybe ok for things like guardwires.

Correct. Normally quality SS rigging turnbuckles have bronze inserts for the threads. You have to look. No bronze insert, IMHO, not a real rigging turnbuckle.

Stainless is very likely to gall if tightened under load. Gaurdrails, of course, are not tightened under significant load, just barely enough to take the slack out (or you will just bend all of the stanchions inwards).

 

[William_H]

No they do not normally need to be replaced like the rigging wire which definitely should be replaced at like 10 or 15 years. I did replace my bronze bodied SS screws after 35 years thinking it must be time. Old ones seemed fine. I did subsequently have a failure of a toggle end fitting but this was due to a bend being forced on the screw end when raising mast. Fatigue when loads tried to straighten the SS was cause of failure. Fortunately mast held up by intermediate shroud with cap shroud let go and I tacked quickly to alleviate load. A bit scary.
So bronze is OK SS end on wire will probably be replaced if it is like mine. The toggle end on bottom should be carefully inspected especially for any bend or wrong stress. ol'will