What tape on turnbuckles?

[wonkywinch]

What tape do riggers use on turnbuckles to cover the split pin ends?

I replaced some with PVC electrical tape a month ago and it's already deteriorated in the winter sun.

Just tidying up the boat and wondered what the riggers use?

 

[Stemar]

I just use cheap and cheerful insulating tape. It's always lasted well enough for me.

 

[Minerva]

Insulating or self amalgamating tape for me

 

[fredrussell]

I think there’s an argument for none at all. Don’t have any on mine and nothing catches. I just tuck split pin ends in a bit.

 

[Rappey]

replaced some with PVC electrical tape a month ago and it's already deteriorated in the winter sun.

Could it be that it was really cheap tape as I've seen tape that's still ok after a year or two.

 

[Porthandbuoy]

I wire my turnbuckles with monel wire with ends tucked in.

 

[KevinV]

I do mine with split rings - no sharp bits at ankle height

 

[doug748]

Small dia nylock nuts and bolts work really well.

At the moment I have split pins and have just replaced tape with shrink wrap (as used on electrical cables). Looks neat and dead easy to do.

.

 

[Refueler]

I prefer no tape ...

 

[Sneaky Pete]

White insulating tape, its been on for a couple of years now.

 

[RunAgroundHard]

I pin the turnbuckles with a pin attached to velcro. They last years, one set is over 10 years old when I replaced them. I recommend them, saves time, protects against snagging, easy to adjust rigging if that's required. Mine just stay in place all year after the mast is set up.

Blue Wave Smart Pins. The pins are made in different diameters.

 

[Alex_Blackwood]

What tape do riggers use on turnbuckles to cover the split pin ends?

I replaced some with PVC electrical tape a month ago and it's already deteriorated in the winter sun.

Just tidying up the boat and wondered what the riggers use?

Densyl tape if you must have tape. PVC electrical tape will only protect cables and terminals (Sorry)

 

[Fantasie 19]

Don't use tape - I have some plastic plumbing pipe offcuts split length ways to fit over the stay, and every now and again I lift them to ensure everything is still as it should be

 

[john_morris_uk]

Not sure about the ‘no tape’ answers as lots of professional riggers use tape.

I use white electrical tape. The trick is to make sure there’s drainage gaps. In other words just a few layers over the split pin. The other trick is NEVER pull the tape to snap it off. Let it relax and cut it and gently press it in place. That way it stays in place much longer.

Our tape lasts a year or two even in the tropical sun.

 

[fredrussell]

…The trick is to make sure there’s drainage gaps…

Surely the trick is to bend the split pins in such a way that nothing can catch on them? I’ve never found that difficult to do.

 

[john_morris_uk]

Surely the trick is to bend the split pins in such a way that nothing can catch on them? I’ve never found that difficult to do.

If only that were possible on ours. Otherwise perhaps you should have a word with all the professionals who use tape?

 

[maypolelil]

sta-lok have a product justfor this. It is called the Sta-Pin. Mainbrace Splicing are selling them.

 

[MikeBz]

They look the same as the Blue Wave ones in post #11 - I guess they are just as pricy. A nice Rolls Royce solution but you can buy a lot of tape for that.

 

[fredrussell]

If only that were possible on ours. Otherwise perhaps you should have a word with all the professionals who use tape?

Just out of interest, why isn’t it possible on yours? My view is that at one of the most critical structural points on boat, what I really don’t want is tape covering up what’s going on there.

 

[ithet]

What tape do riggers use on turnbuckles to cover the split pin ends?

To actually answer the question - it's Self Amalgamating Tape.

PSP Tapes Self-Amalgamating Tape | Force 4 Chandlery