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Post by 3buoysailing on Jul 23, 2014 17:43:42 GMT
Hi, I have recently bought a 2009 Sun Odyssey 45DS and although it is little used it has not been maintained very well. I have had the rigging checked by a professional Rigger in our Marina. I also asked him to tune the rig as the mast is showing some lateral bend but unfortunately could not adjust the bottle screws as they are siezed!!! Has anyone has this problem and is it possible to free them? Someone has told me you can apply some heat and that should get them moving. Any suggestions would be helpful!
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Post by Don Reaves on Jul 23, 2014 19:10:20 GMT
I can't comment on your original question, since I don't know, though heat is often helpful in situations like this.
But the next question will be how to prevent the problem in the future. I read recently that you should not use sililcon lubricant on turnbuckles (as we call them in the US). You can use graphite lubricant.
Don
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Post by On y va on Jul 23, 2014 20:56:30 GMT
Yes, heat is your best option. But.....what sort of riggers are these guys!!! Get rid of them, as they obviously don´t have a clue.
First spray like WD40 or similar and leave overnight.
Next day use a paintstripper gun (super hairdryer) and pref not a gas flame, as the latter may cause discolouring.
First try to tighten 1 or 2mm and then try to unwind. Best to have two people at it.
Do not put a screwdriver into your turnbuckles, but use two BIG english keys. You could even consider a large tube on the keys to allow more force by momentum.
Once they are loose, you could use winch grease, but better is the afore mentioned graphite lubricant. Some rigging companies use a copper based grease, also very good.
But if you do proper maintenance every year (which you should), clear winch grease is ok and less messy.
Don´t forget to tape what the current positions are or count the threads.
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Post by 3buoysailing on Jul 24, 2014 16:25:46 GMT
Thanks all for your help, some good tips especially the heat gun as I can take one with me as I'm in Portugal so gas would be difficult. I'll post when I have had a go in September. Thanks again
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Post by ianpowolny on Jul 26, 2014 7:29:16 GMT
We have a 2008 45DS and have been told that the bottle screws are Z-Spars supplied and that they have a tendency to seize and we should lubricate with WD40 on a monthly basis. That won't help your problem but why not call Z-Spars and ask them how they would solve this problem. They are always very communicative. Ian
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