[Public-list] Bronze turnbuckles - Inspection

[sousa, stephen (ENG)]

Michael,

When we had the rigging replaced in 97, the one comment my rigger made was
the looseness in the turnbuckles and recommended replacement. I would
recommend visiting West Marine or another marine supplier and check a new
turnbuckle against your current turnbuckle, this will give you an idea of
how much wear is in the threads.

We did replace the entire rig which was costly but we took his advise  This
was the same comment your surveyor made during your inspection. I think ours
were original at the time which have been 1965.  

We also upgraded the back/fore stay and uppers to 9/32 wire. In discussions
with Yves, he recommended upgrading the lowers up one size as well,
unfortunately when I called the rigger the job was completed. 

Stephen 

-----Original Message-----
From: public-list-bounces at alberg30.org
[mailto:public-list-bounces at alberg30.org] On Behalf Of Michael Connolly
Sent: Tuesday, October 19, 2004 2:44 PM
To: Public List Alberg
Subject: [Public-list] Bronze turnbuckles - Inspection


Dan,Steven, Gordon and others,
This is something that has bothered me for a while.   
 
My boat surveyor just said "Replace those old bronze turnbuckles, they
aren't any good".
 
Now, being a sailor and not wanting to dispose of anything still useful I am
reluctant to refit just to please the surveyor or perhaps the insurance
company.  
 
My preconception is that the Alberg 30 rig is designed plenty stout enough
with a more than an ordinary margin of safety.  My turnbuckles are corrosion
free and turn freely.
 
Is there some inspection that I can do to assure myself that they are fine
to keep using on the boat?   If I take them apart and inspect for galling
/damaged threads and find them free of these defects are they good to go?
If the bodies have no visible cracks are they likely to fail unexpectedly?
 
I know of the 'Zyglo' process for aluminum and the 'Magnaflux' process for
ferrous metals. Is there something to use for copper alloys to detect
surface fractures that can not be seen with the naked eye?
 
I have a couple of older boats with all bronze hardware and would like
retain that look and be safe at the same time.  All comments welcome.
 
I am glad that Dan Sternglass brought up this issue, and happy for him that
the failure was at the most convenient of times.
 
Michael Connolly
Alberg #133 Lorrie Rose
Seafarer #154 Tammy Norie
 
 


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