So my dad and I picked up a 1980 Prindle 18 for $500 with trailer last winter, we've managed to fix up the rest of the problems with it but it's still missing the forestay turnbuckle. We've tried ordering a couple of the right size but they never seem to thread right.
I know I can order the whole wire/turnbuckle assembly online, but the standing rigging still looks pretty good and I'm not looking forward to spending $90 just to get a $20 turnbuckle.
Can someone give me a hand finding the right turnbuckle for a prindle 18?
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Sounds like you could use a portuguese turnbuckle:
https://www.thebeachcats.…pictures?g2_itemId=80821
Use high quality high strength line like Spectra, Vectran or Dyneema -
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Great fun boat!
enjoy
SIde note: I have had rigging fail on me after a year or 2 of use
and a falling mast can kill someone - and since i rig on a public beach i (personally) err on the side of caution and replace all standing rigging when i buy a boat unless i know it's history
Ymmv (but please don't rig by me) :)
Edited by MN3 on Apr 30, 2018 - 05:48 PM. -
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Did you try to take it in a nautical store - West Marine, etc. - and match the turn buckle barrel?
You do realize that the barrels are threaded opposite hand on each end (left hand threads vs. right hand threads)?
bradinjax mentions a Portuguese windlass, and he is neither kidding nor wrong (and he spelled Portuguese correctly!).
There have been beachcat ocean racers on the west coast safely using a windlass for decades.
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Sheet In!
Bob
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Prindle 18-2 #244 "Wakizashi"
Prindle 16 #3690 "Pegasus" Sold (sigh)
AZ Multihull Fleet 42 member
(Way) Past Commodore of Prindle Fleet 14
Arizona, USA
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Unfortunately I live about three and a half hours from the nearest marine store, so I'm trying not to make that trip for a turnbuckle. I would just use a line, but the threaded fitting I'm looking for a turnbuckle for is crimped onto the forestay so there's nothing to tie it to. -
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i do recall the 18's do have a interesting rigging forestay
you can contact apsltd or murrays.com and they can get you set up with a marine turnbuckle or the part you need
Please post pics of you sailing the snot out of it :)
Edited by MN3 on Apr 30, 2018 - 09:41 PM. -
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Most forestay's on 18 foot cats are 5/32" diameter cable. The standard size turnbuckle end fitting for a 5/32" diameter cable uses a 1/4-28 thread (assuming it's a US part, which it probably is since it's a Prindle). I would double check the cable diameter and then just call a shop like APS and tell them you need a turnbuckle for a 5/32" diameter cable assembly. If you have a thread gauge, that would be the best approach, so you can confirm the thread size of the stud on the end of the forestay.
https://loosnaples.com/im…oosNaplesCatalog2018.pdf
Do not "jury rig" your new boat together by tying the forestay up. Your mast will fall down. The mast needs to be properly secured using the correct hardware.
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I may have one in my spare parts box.... I'll look when I get home tonight and report back... If so you can have it.
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John Schwartz
Ventura, CA
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