Backstay turnbuckle

[pedroln]

Hi, any idea what brand can be the backstsay turnbuckle for a 2016 SO479? Attached a photo.

[moonshadow]

I have been working on my shroud turnbuckles for a week. Learned the hard way that they need to be worked and lubricated more often.
One thing that I did learn is that on my French built boat the rigging is not metric but standard threads used in American boats. I hope this helps.
On to another question: I have been using penetrating oil and heat to free up my turnbuckles and making slow progress. Any good tips on getting these freed?

[pedroln]

Oct 8, 2022 11:45:30 GMT moonshadow said:

I have been working on my shroud turnbuckles for a week. Learned the hard way that they need to be worked and lubricated more often.
One thing that I did learn is that on my French built boat the rigging is not metric but standard threads used in American boats. I hope this helps.
On to another question: I have been using penetrating oil and heat to free up my turnbuckles and making slow progress. Any good tips on getting these freed?

Thanks, try brake fluid? If no solution cut it alongside, this release tension and you can unscrew (viewed in youtube not tested for me!)

[moonshadow]

To the original question: this looks like a ZSpar item. If it is there should be a “Z” logo on it.
My problem was the cap shrouds being seized. It took three weeks of work to free them up. Pretty much daily applications of penetrating lube ( corrosion X, PB Blaster etc) and repeated heating with propane torch to get them moving. Apparently not a rare problem with these turnbuckles.
My issue was having to replace my jib furling drum. I was able to release the headstay by loosening the backstay. But reattaching the headstay was impossible. I needed to loosen the cap shrouds due to the swept back spreaders keeping the mast back. Once these were loosened I still had to totally disconnect the backstay. This allowed me to connect the headstay. Reattaching the backstay wasn’t too hard once I tensioned the shrouds and used various halyards to pull the top of the mast back.

[Mistroma]

Oct 8, 2022 12:21:49 GMT pedroln said:

Oct 8, 2022 11:45:30 GMT moonshadow said:

I have been working on my shroud turnbuckles for a week. Learned the hard way that they need to be worked and lubricated more often.
One thing that I did learn is that on my French built boat the rigging is not metric but standard threads used in American boats. I hope this helps.
On to another question: I have been using penetrating oil and heat to free up my turnbuckles and making slow progress. Any good tips on getting these freed?

Thanks, try brake fluid? If no solution cut it alongside, this release tension and you can unscrew (viewed in youtube not tested for me!)

I remember reading an article about "penetrating oil" many years ago. It was more car than boat related but the methodology seemed pretty good. I don't remember the top product, a very expensive specialist penetrating oil.

However, I remember that WD40 was at the bottom of the list. It was pointed out that it was a good water dispersant and not much good as a penetrating oil. Unfortunately, most people seem to buy it to free up seized items.

The "penetrating oil" I normally use at home and on the boat is diesel. It came out second in the tests and was reasonably close to the performance of the outright winner.

I do have a can of "penetrating oil" from toolstation and use it at home to spray awkward area. Anything I can reach with ease gets a dab of diesel.

[Serenade (Sean R)]

They are Z-spar turnbuckles.  On the boat I just bought, 5 of 6 were frozen, and the rigger working on it required heat and penetrating oil to free them up.  He recommended changing them out...he's not a fan of Z-spar turnbuckles (because they freeze up)...