[Public-list] Bronze turnbuckles - Inspection

[Mike Lehman]

I have to comment on this. I have never know of an Alberg that has lost the 
rig due to a rigging failure. The failures that I know about are:

527 - failed spreader
411 - collision [with another boat]
135 - Bridge collision [Chesapeake Bay Bridge]
 35 - Bridge collision (Intracoastal Waterway]
399 - forward lower knee failure [60 knot winds and a pitch pole]
464 - collision [with another A30]

How many more are there? What were the causes? The boats are getting older 
and more maintenance is required, we need to check for cracked turnbuckles 
and stripped threads, these are standard maintenance procedures on any boat. 
My concern is that surveyor's are causing worries that are based on the 
average boat - not the A30 and costing owners thousands $$ for needless 
replacement of rigging.

My rigging is 32 years old, and I NEVER worry about it...maybe I should.

Mike Lehman
><((((º>¸.·´¯`·...¸><((((º>


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "sousa, stephen (ENG)" <sousa_stephen at emc.com>
To: "'Alberg 30 Public List -- open to all'" <public-list at alberg30.org>
Sent: Tuesday, October 19, 2004 3:15 PM
Subject: RE: [Public-list] Bronze turnbuckles - Inspection


> 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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