Guard rail gone slack, sailing cruiser.

janul15

Petty Officer 3rd Class
Joined
Feb 15, 2020
Messages
92
Hi, on my 30' sailing boat, all the wire guard rails have become slack. The barrel adjusters are at their limit. How can I remedy this?
 

alldodge

Moderator
Staff member
Joined
Mar 8, 2009
Messages
42,064
Have not messed with them but I would first look at what is causing them to go slack. Did the rails bend or is the deck holding the rails getting soft

@tpenfield may have some ideas
 

Grub54891

Admiral
Joined
Jun 17, 2012
Messages
6,078
If the stanchions are loose where they attach to the deck, there is the issue. If every is solid down there the rails have stretched over time and they will have to be re-swaged or replaced.
pictures would help.
 

Scott Danforth

Grumpy Vintage Moderator still playing with boats
Staff member
Joined
Jul 23, 2011
Messages
49,574
Life lines could have stretched

Some stanchions could be bent or loose

Top rail could be bent

Make sure the top rail and all stanchions are 100% factory spec

Then loosen up the turnbuckles, and redo the anchor termination studs. Should be a nut and ferrule arrangement.

Could also be swagged

After that, tighten the turnbuckles
 

janul15

Petty Officer 3rd Class
Joined
Feb 15, 2020
Messages
92
I should get you pictures in a couple of days. I didn't think the stanchions or metalwork is the problem, more likely the wire lines (lifelines) are stretched. What does swagging/reswagging mean
 

Scott Danforth

Grumpy Vintage Moderator still playing with boats
Staff member
Joined
Jul 23, 2011
Messages
49,574
Look on sites like suncor stainless for lifelines and various methods of securing lifelines. And compare to what you have
 

flashback

Captain
Joined
Jun 28, 2002
Messages
3,963
I should get you pictures in a couple of days. I didn't think the stanchions or metalwork is the problem, more likely the wire lines (lifelines) are stretched. What does swagging/reswagging mean
swaging is the process by which the threaded stud is fastened to the end of the life line..
 

Scott Danforth

Grumpy Vintage Moderator still playing with boats
Staff member
Joined
Jul 23, 2011
Messages
49,574
Here is the suncor link


You can see if it's swagged or the quick connect fittings
 

janul15

Petty Officer 3rd Class
Joined
Feb 15, 2020
Messages
92
Here are 2 pictures, badly focused. I'll look through Suncor to see what matches. I think I'll need lengths of cable, the connectors, and some tools.
 

janul15

Petty Officer 3rd Class
Joined
Feb 15, 2020
Messages
92
Here are 2 pictures, badly focused. I'll look through Suncor to see what matches. I think I'll need lengths of cable, the connectors, and some tools.
Forgot to attach.
 

Attachments

  • 20231023_122947.jpg
    20231023_122947.jpg
    199.2 KB · Views: 5
  • 20231023_123055.jpg
    20231023_123055.jpg
    937.5 KB · Views: 5

Scott Danforth

Grumpy Vintage Moderator still playing with boats
Staff member
Joined
Jul 23, 2011
Messages
49,574
looks like swagged ends. If all your stanchions are in order, I would just get a few quick-connect ends, cut off the swagged end, and redo the terminations

check your local rigging shop to see what they have on-hand.
 
Top