Sta-Lok stud corrosion?

[Moonshadow]

I have Stay-Lok long studs on the lower turn buckle. They are 15 years old. there is a little rust where the round stud portion attaches to the larger portion that accepts the wire.

Does anyone know about these failing?

Am preparing to sail from Hawaii to Oregon.

thanks, Richard SV Moonshdow

[Joe Henderson]

Dear Richard,

I think that all the pieces of the puzzle are in your question, it is a simple sum.

Fifteen year old rigging with a bit of rust
+ A voyage half way across the Pacific against the prevailing winds
= Trouble on the horizon.

I think that, before departure, you should remove/inspect/repair/refurbish/replace every component in your 15 year old rig very thoroughly, including your chainplates.

Regards,

Joe.

[Douglas]

I agree with Joe , as 10 years life in tropical waters , most knowledgable surveyors report to replace all SS structural fittings, after 10 years ! They know their business , and hedge their opinions on the safe side .

My personal findings when purchasing a BCC in Honolulu , was that upon close rigging inspection , I found "spider-web" like corrosion cracks under the SS toggles at the pin holes on the SS chainplates, ouch ! Yes , I replaced those C/P's before sailing to Neah Bay, WA . These cracks were not visable when the toggles were in place, or even when the toggles were removed ,,,, it took polishing the C/P's to mirror finish to see them in the sunlight .

I too have Sta-Loks and have been re-using them , but they too have a service life , and need a detailed inspection before re-using them .

Good Luck ,,,, S/V Calliste , Douglas .

[Brion Toss]

Hi all,
On the one hand I utterly agree that this is not a rig to inspire confidence on an uphill run from Hawaii. But not all 15-year-old rigs are created equal; wire quality, terminal sealant, installation quality, tune, and especially climate are all important factors for wire longevity.
As for that rust, it usually isn't. Rust, I mean. Most often it is other material that has washed down the wires and taken up residence. If it actually is rust, then there might actually be corrosion bubbling away inside the terminal. In extreme cases, you can break that terminal, So have you tried disassembly? If not, do. Please. Heck, you'll have to anyway, because it sounds like the rig should be replaced. But at least you can get motivated by what you find inside.
Oh, and good riggers are rare in Hawaii; let me know if I can make a recommendation.
Fair leads,
Brion Toss

[Joe Henderson]

Dear Richard,

Having re-read your post and after Brion's reply, I have thought some more on your rig.

The rust may be tool residue at the end of the thread where it should blend smoothly into the body of the terminal.

I may be mistaken, but I seem to remember that some early Sta-Lok studs had cut threads which were superceded by rolled threads later on. I am talking about the stud portion that fits the turnbuckle body, not the terminal assembling threads.

Sometimes the tool chatters on withdrawal when coming to the end or at the start of a thread, particularly if the section of the workpiece changes as per the thread to body interface of mechanical terminals, leaving some of the carbon steel/tungsten/ceramic/whatever the tool is made of, embedded in the stainless. This can cause staining at an existing stress concentration/notch and in severe cases it can be the start of a more serious problem, cracks etc.

Just such a defect caused a yacht called Amazon to lose the Sydney to Hobart race one year after the turnbuckle on the headstay broke at the end of the thread where it met the lower eye/toggle. Only lightning fast reflexes on the part of helmsman Hugh Treharne ( Him of Australia II fame [and I purposely use a capital H !] ) saved the rig allowing the boat to return to Sydney safely, if not quickly.

Whatever the cause, inspection is warranted.

Regards,

Joe.