New Standing Rigging: Navtec or Blue Wave Swaged Turnbuckles ?

[Northeaster]

Hi Folks,

I replaced my Headstay and Backstay last year, and will be replacing my 2 upper and 2 lower shrouds this year.

This is all of the standing rigging, as it's a single-spreader, 30' sloop. I do not see any real trouble areas on the old rigging, but it is 30 years old.

As for my existing turnbuckles, they are old style Navtec where the wire is swaged onto the top portion of the turnbuckle (not on a threaded end), and it is about $107 just for each swaged 1/2 turnbuckle end, whereas I can replace the whole thing for about $70 each.

I realize that there are choices other than swaged, like swageless and now low stretch line. However, some of the virtues of these, like cruisers down south being able to disassemble and check their rigging do not seem to be as important for Northern boats like mine, that only spend about 4-5 months in the water.
As well, the current swaged rigging has lasted 30 years, so I am Ok with using it again.

My local rigger uses Blue Wave swaged turnbuckles, but will also use others, if I choose, such as the Navtecs in the link below. Both are about the same cost and are available. Any thoughts between the two??

Feel free to give advice on others, even swageless, as I will take it into consideration. I am just not sold on the need for my application.




Open-body Turnbuckle

or

Blue Wave Rigging Hardware

FORK/TERMINAL UNF Chromed High Polished Stainless Steel - AISI 316
Chromed Bronze Body

ART.NO.THREAD GWIREL1L2L4L5APIN SIZEBLKG/100PACK130306A1/4"3,01/8"23617410,41009,56,351300 KG10,710130406A1/4"4,05/32"24618410,41009,56,351300 KG11,010130408A5/16"4,05/32"28020412,2120118,02350 KG14,510130510A3/8"5,03/16"31723314,0135129,53500 KG23,210135510A3/8"7/32"32524114,0135129,53500 KG24,510130611A7/16"6,0 36527516,51501211,04700 KG36,55130711A7/16"7,09/32"37028016,51501211,04700 KG34,55130612A1/2"6,039729118,11701412,75400 KG55,05136312A1/2" 1/4"39729118,11701412,75400 KG55,05130712A1/2"7,09/32"40529918,11701412,75400 KG55,55130816AX5/8"8,05/16"49636424,32101816,08000 KG109,5BULK139520A3/4" 3/8"59143138,32502419,013000

[Catamount]

Which ever maker you choose, you want open-body turnbuckles. My quick perusal of the Blue Wave site suggested that they have closed-body turnbuckles that are secured with lock nuts -- you definitely don't want those! But maybe Blue Wave has open-body turnbuckles as well.

[johnar]

Mtself I like the swageless and keep spair parts on hand so you can fix at sea.

I found some very nice prices at Riggingonly and very helpful people.


Best of luck,

Dutch

[s/v Jedi]

Agree with Catamount and want to add this: make sure the body is chromed bronze like the one included in your post. Never have stainless-on-stainless threads as they will gall.

cheers,
Nick.

[Shoalcove]

Their service was excellent. I used Hi-Mod mechanical fittings and open turnbuckles. Mine are GIBB (e-bay find!) which I believe is Navtec now. I did mine last year and it was price competitive to DIY compared to the Halifax prices. Since then Jim Newell has opened Lifeline Marine Services. He's a good guy and may be more competive. I got my wire and a swaged forestay from him and recommend him as well.
Lifeline Marine Services
Sailboat hardware, rigging and standing rigging from Rigging Only

Changing 30 year old rigging is a good idea. One less thing to worry about.
Best regards,
Shoalcove

[Northeaster]

Shoalcove - yes, Jim is the one who I have been talking too. His prices are competitive to buying them myslef in the states and his wore price is better.


yes, definitely getting open turnbuckles, and both types listed are chromed bronze bodies.


re: mechanical, we only do coastal cruising, usually just a couple of miles off shore. I can also carry one coiled up old upper and lower shroud if we take any week long trips. Based on our lack of going far offshore, for weeks / months at a time, I doubt we would ever need to fix it at sea, like full time cruisers would.

[barnakiel]

Hasselfors screws from Selden also OK - open body chromed bronze with ss ends. Probably nearly same with Blue Wave products.

b.

[Gosling]

I've used all of them, and my favorite is still StaLok. I like the separate former that helps make the strands form properly.

Cheers,

MikeR

[barnakiel]

I have used the Hasselfors (now Selden) bronze and the SS (both open body). I prefer the bronze. Sta-lock and Norseman / Blue Wave swageless are great - even if all you have are swage terminals it is a good idea to have some swageless in case you want to make your own repairs in a remote place.

b.

[barnakiel]

BTW Our furler bearing fore-stay is on a Sta-Lock (re-used once) 35k plus NM, no problem.

b.

[feelsgood]

We only use open turnbuckles and never use swaged. We have swaged at the top and Sta-Lok fitting at the turnbuckle easy to make a repair at sea and alot stronger than a swage