Broken Turnbuckle

[rjbaren]

A dockmate noticed a broken turnbuckle on the port side lower shroud. One of the sides was cracked all the way through and opened up as it was under tension. I believe it is a Stainless turnbuckle, and I recently put stainless steel split rings on all the turnbuckles and through all of the clevis pins. Did I do the right thing removing cotter pins for split rings? The failure was adjacent to the ring.
Could I have lost the rig if the turnbuckle gave out completely under sail? I have a double spreader rig on a 38 Cheoy Lee Pedrick.
Thanks,
Rick

[Brian Duff]

Rick,
No, you did not do the right thing by replacing cotter pins with cotter(split) rings. Split rings are not a secure way to fasten a pin or turnbuckle in place, as they can be removed by nearly any pulling force, such as a snagged sheet, sail, or leg. Taping over can help this problem but tape has its problems. Cotter pins are the safe way to secure rigging fittings.

That said, the cotter rings have NOTHING to do with the failure you describe - that is more likely due to corrosion or over loading.

Yes, this failed turnbuckle can lead to a total rig failure.

You should start to solve this problem by having a complete rigging inspection, as we often find if one fitting goes, others may be near as well.

Sail safe,