Here is the broken turnbuckle. It was a jaw/jaw turnbuckle which meant it had a t-shaped piece on each end to hold a jaw for the line and/or tang like you see at right above. The t broke off. Below you can see corrosion where it broke, the corrosion telling me it had been failing for a while, allowing moisture in. Whether it was a flaw from the beginning or a stress fracture I will never know. Might replace with the same or possibly go a size larger. Will have to think about that.
11 comments:
Ouch! How did you discovered that? Is the mast safe?
I discovered that Sunday morning when in a gust I heard a "pop" and saw a line go flying. The mast did bend, but it is a birds mouth mast and should bend but not break. I rounded up, anchored, tied the shroud to the tang with some dyneema line and kept on sailing. I did sail in some very strong winds on the spring and fall cruises and I do worry that if the turnbuckle had broken then it might have damaged the mast. I am lucky it happened when and were it did. steve
wow, lucky! I will include the turnbuckles in the list of parts to be periodically inspected , and maybe with the support of a lens.
Thanks for sharing Steve!
Steve, thanks for the uodate..did not realize the T head popped off..that certainly should be exposed and get a fresh water rinse whenever you spray it off.
Looks like the weld was defective, with a void, and there was corrosion growing in there for a while. Glad everything is ok. Thanks for sharing the photo.
I'm with Clark on this one. That turnbuckle should have been good for fifty years.
I'm with Clark on this one. That turnbuckle should have been good for fifty years.
I just went online to check the specs. 2,500 lb breaking strength, which should be enough I think. Placed an order for one, will inspect before installing. Thanks for all the ideas, guys. steve
Glad it didn't happen on a longer cruise.
MaryLou,
Yes, I was very fortunate.
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