Leather turnbuckle covers

[crieders]

Edson makes a nice turnbuckle cover. Any experience with them? Best place to purchase cost-wise? Thanks

[Ron Hill]

Cliff : When I got my C34 back 19years ago, I immediately bought 6 turnbuckle covers.  After I sailed the boat I found out that where the C34 chain plates are located (well inboard from the stanchion/life lines) that the 150% genoa never came close to the turnbuckles!!  I never installed them and have never regretted it!

As far as the cotter pins, just make sure that the sharp ends are curled in a loop (done with a long nose pliers).  Then you won't catch a leg or something else on them.   

[Jon Schneider]

Cliff, leather is probably the least destructive covering you can use because it breathes, so if you're doing this for aesthetics, I suppose leather boots are okay.  But Ron's right, there's no practical reason to cover any of your rigging.  It'll just cause rapid decay of the stainless by reducing breathing.

[Larry Robertie]

On my Mk II I have nice SS turnbuckle covers that, as I understand it, either came from Catalina or as an aftermarket item from Catalina Direct.  They are very low profile and allow the SS rigging plenty of air (the air circulation thing is huge)

[Ron Hill]

Guys : FYI, most of the MK1s have an open turnbuckle. Think Catalina started the "closed" turnbuckle (with a stainless sleve) in about 1993.