Turnbuckle help

Discussions about Cape Dory, Intrepid and Robinhood sailboats and how we use them. Got questions? Have answers? Provide them here.

Moderator: Jim Walsh

Post Reply
Jim Serra

Turnbuckle help

Post by Jim Serra »

My Typhoon doesn't appear to have the original open body turnbuckles (the ones in the manual). Instead, they are round, with a closed body, and a nut on each end. I'm a little unclear on how to adjust them. It seems that the only way to tighten them is to actually turn to stay- but as soon as I try to tighten the nuts (I need to release the turnbuckle in order to do this) the stay unravels.
Any tips for a novice rigger?

Thank you.



jserra@prodigy.net
Ed Roberts

Re: Turnbuckle help

Post by Ed Roberts »

Hi Jim,
These turnbuckles work pretty much the same as the classic type. To adjust, loosen nuts on both ends of the barrel and turn the barrel. You will need to keep the upper end from rotating and twisting the stay. The barrel should have a little hole through it. I made a tool by cutting the blade off a very small screwdriver, then inserting the shaft through the hole in the barrel. This can not only adjust the tension, but also hold the barrel stationary while retightening the locknuts.
Ed



edwardroberts@sprintmail.com
Neil Gordon

Re: Turnbuckle help

Post by Neil Gordon »

>>I made a tool by cutting the blade off a very small screwdriver, ...<<

I use a Phillips head screwdriver. <G>


Regards, Neil
s/v LIQUIDITY
Cape Dory 28 #167



neil@nrgordon.com
Neil Gordon

Re: Turnbuckle help

Post by Neil Gordon »

Loosen the nuts on each end of the turnbuckle. Insert a Phillips head screwdriver through the turnbuckle hole. Hold the stay with a wrench (there should be a flat part of the fitting) and turn the turnbuckle body to adjust. Then tighten the nuts.

Regards, Neil
s/v LIQUIDITY
Cape Dory 28 #167



neil@nrgordon.com
Chris

Re: Turnbuckle help

Post by Chris »

My O'Day has a similar turnbuckle - I found an ice pick was the only thing which would easily fit.

Chris

Neil Gordon wrote: >>I made a tool by cutting the blade off a very small screwdriver, ...<<

I use a Phillips head screwdriver. <G>


Regards, Neil
s/v LIQUIDITY
Cape Dory 28 #167
Neil Gordon

Re: Turnbuckle help

Post by Neil Gordon »

>>My O'Day has a similar turnbuckle - I found an ice pick was the only thing which would easily fit.<<

Yup... depends on the size of the turnbuckle. <g>


Regards, Neil
s/v LIQUIDITY
Cape Dory 28 #167



neil@nrgordon.com
Post Reply