posted June 13, 2004 07:10 PM              

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I've read the comments on holding the turnbuckles up while raiding the mast. Someone mentioned tying the turnbuckle to the handrail. At what point would you loosen them. I can't see the mast going plumb while the shrouds are bowed in due to tying off.

IP: 156.34.90.38

posted June 13, 2004 08:13 PM               

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Don, I just wrap a little white electrical tape around them on the padeye. This keeps them on top of the padeye. Then I lean them inboard against the cabin. If you tie them up, they needn't be very tight.
The whole idea, whatever way you decide, is to keep them UP, and not lying down on the deck. As the mast is raised, they will not slide to the top of the padeye if they are laying down on the deck.
The other solution is to have a spotter, whose job will be to watch for entanglment of the shrouds and watch the turnbuckles.
Eric

IP: 130.63.85.93

posted June 13, 2004 10:06 PM               

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I use bungie cord to hold them up. Something we all have on our boats. I just got out of my usually order with my wife helping me and forgot to bungie them up

Sid

IP: 67.40.133.135

posted June 13, 2004 11:46 PM               

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I tie mine to the hand rail making sure that they are in the upright position and at the top of the padeye useing elastic (rubber) bands, they break easy when the stays get tension.

Bob

IP: 216.209.120.21

posted June 14, 2004 08:47 AM               

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I tried the spotter once, she promtly forgot about the turnbuckle while watching me trying to raise the mast. When I looked down, the turnbuckle was bent. Arrrgh. Now I tape them in the UP position.

IP: 67.107.33.106

posted June 14, 2004 09:03 AM               

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As a new Owner, I've only raised the Piper mast twice. We did it like elmet3 the first time and just about bent both turnbuckes in the process. The second time we used bungy chords. Works very well.

Keep those turnbuckles up!

D'Arcy

IP: 67.71.52.150

posted June 14, 2004 12:18 PM              

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Thanks guys. Since I have a big multi pac of bungie cords at home.....bungie cords it will be.

IP: 142.177.156.121

posted June 14, 2004 12:21 PM               

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I too learned how to bend turnbuckles while raising the mast. In latter years we taped them up loosley with masking tape. Sorry fellows, I forgot to pass this gem on a bit earlier!
I bought the new lower screw assemblies at Mason's Chandlery, "The Store" in Port Credit. It's not necessary to get new turnbuckles.

They're probably available from Holland Marine in Toronto. http://www.hollandmarine.com/

and in Ottawa
http://www.thechandleryonline.com/

IP: 141.117.228.250

posted June 14, 2004 01:33 PM              

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I found a couple of badly bent 'lower units' in the keel handle storage area. Looks like previous owner of my boat had same problem. I'll scout local suppliers to see if available here.

IP: 142.177.156.121