Replacing shroud tension adjusters with turnbuckles

[DaveC426913]

Has anyone done this? Recommend it?

What steps are involved?
Do you cut the tensioner plates off the swaged shrouds?
Do the shrouds need to be shortened to accommodate the turnbuckles?

[Stickinthemud57]

I had started a thread about this, but Ixneigh ixneighed it:

"A word of caution. Turnbuckles are more prone to bending than those shroud adjusters. Docks, mast raising mishaps and snagged lines can all cause this. Once they are bent they need to be replaced."

[Be Free]

I had started a thread about this, but Ixneigh ixneighed it:

"A word of caution. Turnbuckles are more prone to bending than those shroud adjusters. Docks, mast raising mishaps and snagged lines can all cause this. Once they are bent they need to be replaced."

+1
I've bent turnbuckles on shrouds but never the vernier adjusters that come on the Mac.

[DaveC426913]

Thanks. Good to know.

They're only $14. That's cheap enough that I can replace it as-needed. I'll keep one in my "consumables" kit - (alongside my mast slug stoppers, which I go through like Kleenex).


Want to make sure I get the right ones. The stock pins are 1/4" right? The next size up is 5/16" and they look way too large.

I bought 4 of them today. They have a min length of 8". That gives me 2" of play in my shrouds which have 10" between swage and tang.

[LordElsinore]

Let us know how you like them if you do the replacment. What is it specifically you are hoping to solve with them? More accurate tension tuning? Easier adjustment mechanism?

[DaveC426913]

Easier adjustment mechanism?

I find the adjusters clumsy and inelegant and trying to adjust them is quite a pain. I bought a pair of stabby-awls and tried them once. Not happy with them.

I actually bought a length of SS tube and some bolts to make an adjuster and then immediately turned arond and bought the turnbuckles anyway.

More accurate tension tuning? Easier adjustment mechanism?

I can't really claim I'm looking for more accurate tuning - since it is now four weeks from end-of-season and I only just now realized that my shrouds are loose to the point of being slack:

[LordElsinore]

I have such an adjuster (came with the boat, though aluminum rather than SS) but have never used it

...unless you count using it to prop open the front hatch

[Russ]

I have such an adjuster (came with the boat, though aluminum rather than SS) but have never used it

...unless you count using it to prop open the front hatch

Yup... our boats should have come with a hatch arm to hold it open. I forgot about that.

[LordElsinore]

wow...just watched your video. Those are in fact some very slack shrouds. Can't say that I've ever had that issue before.

[Ixneigh]

I even replace my stay adjusters with dyneema lashings.
Ix

[Charles108]

Yeah, I’ve done it. You’ll need to cut off the tensioner plates, but be careful not to damage the shrouds. The shrouds do need to be shortened to fit the turnbuckles. Make sure everything aligns before you start. A bit of a hassle, but worth it for better adjustment.

[DaveC426913]

The shrouds do need to be shortened to fit the turnbuckles.

These 1/4" turnbuckles are 8" long at minimum. I have 10" between shroud swage and tang, so I should be good.

[Stickinthemud57]

I have such an adjuster (came with the boat, though aluminum rather than SS) but have never used it

...unless you count using it to prop open the front hatch

I used the aluminum tube that provides extra support for the swing-out table. A few strategically-drilled holes, long bolts and nuts. As seldom as I have to use them, they are just the thing.

[LakeMac26C]

Here's a similar topic from the past:

viewtopic.php?p=360694&hilit=Turnbuckle#p360694

[kurz]

I stay with the original setting.

To tighten the shouds I made myself this tool: Works fine!

https://shop.bwyachts.com/product-p/1301-110.htm