How to Tighten a Sailboat Turnbuckle

Adjust standing rigging on a sailboat by tightening or loosening turnbuckles.

A turnbuckle is a three-part mechanical device fitted to stainless steel standing rigging stays and shrouds. This device is used to adjust the rigging tension and to set the correct mast rake angle on sailboats. Turnbuckles come in two configurations: open turnbuckle and closed turnbuckle. With the open configuration, the threads of the upper and lower turnbuckle screws are visible through the flat, open center link. With the closed configuration, the turnbuckle screws are enclosed in a tubular-shaped center link that streamlines the rigging of racing sailboats.

Things You'll Need

• Two open-ended wrenches of the same size

Instructions

1. Use an open-ended wrench to undo the two opposing pairs of lock nuts on either side of the center turnbuckle link until you have sufficient clearance to adjust the turnbuckle.

2. Tighten the turnbuckle by twisting the center link clockwise. The toggles attached to the rigging wire will prevent the turnbuckle screws from turning. Tightening is possible because the upper turnbuckle screw has a clockwise thread, while the lower screw has a counterclockwise thread.

3. When you have achieved the desired tension, tighten both inner lock nuts against the center link with an open-ended wrench. Lock these nuts in place by tightening the upper and lower pair of nuts against each other. Use two opposing wrenches for this operation.

4. Loosen the turnbuckle by reversing the procedure outlined in Step 2.

References

• Answers: Boating Encyclopedia:
• First 40.7: Beneteau First 40.7 Mast Tuning Instructions