[Public-list] Boy sure lucky that I broke *that*

[sousa, stephen (ENG)]

All,

There is a product on the market called Zep 45 (mfg Zep) which is a
lubricant/teflon based. It adheres to metal and provides the lubrication to
keep the turnbuckles from galling and doesn't wash out like WD-40.  They
have a web site and I think you can order it on line. We use on automotive
applications as well as on the Alberg. My mechanic recommended this stuff
for front ends on autos since it stops salt from rusting components.

Stephen


-----Original Message-----
From: public-list-bounces at alberg30.org
[mailto:public-list-bounces at alberg30.org] On Behalf Of Dan Sternglass
Sent: Tuesday, October 19, 2004 2:05 AM
To: Alberg-30 Public List
Subject: [Public-list] Boy sure lucky that I broke *that*


Hi A-30 people,

In the words of an old friend of mine, "You can't lose 'em all."... I 
was about to embark on one of the last sails of the season yesterday 
(Sunday) into15 MPH whitecaps, I decided that I'd tension some of the 
standing rigging slightly, I had noticed that it was a little bit soft 
before the last few sails, but in mild conditions I wasn't concerned. So 
I tensioned the backstay a bit, then the forestay, then the backstay a 
bit more (not excessively tight by any means) and BANG -- the backstay 
turnbuckle failed, the lower threaded portion stripped the threads right 
out of the turbuckle body. Luckily, with no sails up, and still in the 
dock, the aft lowers held up the mast, and I quickly jury-rigged a line 
to the backstay... Could have been serious under sail, for sure.

I had been in the habit of spraying WD-40 on the turnbuckle threads, but 
I hadn't been unscrewing the ends far enought to expose the entire area 
where it sits when set for normal tension. I certainly plan to pay a lot 
more attention to the turnbuckles in the fututure. These are old, 
"Merriman style" turnbuckles (no integral hinge), with a Silicon Bronze 
body, possibly original, although the revious owner replaced all the 
standing rigging about 25 years ago, and it all looks to be in excellent 
shape, and I've replaced some pieces since. The boat has only ever been 
in fresh water.

Another item for rigging inspection and preventive maintenance at the 
beginning of a season... If you think about it (which I hadn't in the 
almost 20 years I've had this boat), those 4 pairs of 1/2-inch-20 
threads about 3/4-inch long, in Silicon Bronze, are all that is holding 
the mast up when it's under load...

Only 8 lives left now...

--Dan Sternglass
dans at stmktg.com
Watcher of the Skiles, #201, Cayuga Lake, Ithaca, NY



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