Shroud covers

[Steve Hansen]

I am curious to know if any boat owners removed the plastic sleeves that cover the shrouds. They are approx 5 ft high and around 1.25 thick. Not sure I like them, hides the rigging and if they are mostly cosmetic, I'm thinking of removing them. Any thoughts?

[patrice]

Hi,

They are mainly there to protect the headsail from rubbing on the turn buckle.
Not the pretiest thing, but usefull

[Paulus]

Steve,  I removed my sleeves due to dirt collecting between the sleeve and rigging.  My sleeves were a tight fit.  I do however have a sleeve that fits around the turn buckle,  about 18" high and about inch and one half in diameter.
Protects the mainsail.  Draw back:  spiders love it.
Paul

[csimmerling]

is it possible to replace these with a section of PVC pipe?

[KWKloeber]

If they are oversized they'll roll with the sail. But I davy jones'd mine long ago as they were a harborer of mold  mildew and gunk.

[Ron Hill]

Guys : I did the same as Ken - got rid of mine.  Watched and found that the sail seldom touched any shroud except the uppers!

A thought

[Steve Hansen]

Thanks for the input, Now in the process of removing these covers. they do seem to harbor spiders dirt etc. and also the "out of sight out of mind" factor. Now cleaning off old caulk from shroud plate, Re-bedding bolts and chain plates and servicing turnbuckles. Also these covers always seemed to me as a clumsy hand hold. I like the feel of a solid cable.
Also came across this thread for reference:
http://c34.org/bbs/index.php/topic,4315.msg25035.html#msg25035 

[Geoffreykwright]

So we're talking about the nice chrome housings over the base of the uppers and lowers on each side?  Assuming their from Catalina.  Mine look nice still, but their a pain when tuning the mast.  Is the general consensus to get rid of them?  Serve no functional purpose?  Makes sense they harbour dirt, mildew, spiders, etc...and I guess if the cotter pins are properly bent, there's no risk of someone getting cut walking on the deck...my mast s coming down in a couple of weeks so timely discussion....

[KWKloeber]

Remember you can also always put a wrap of rigging tape around the turnbuckle and exposed cotter.
Or if you tune to conditions often, use the hook n loop type turnbuckle pins (you can make them yourself and not buy the expensive ones.)

-ken

[Geoffreykwright]

Thanks Ken - good suggestion on the rigging tape...

[Jim Hardesty]

So we're talking about the nice chrome housings over the base of the uppers and lowers on each side?

I've gotten to like them. Trimmed cotter pins to inside diameter of tube and didn't split the ends, they are trapped in side and can't go anywhere.
Jim

[Ron Hill]

Guys : Everywhere I could, I've replaced cotter pins with SS cotter rings.  Didn't want any thing/one to get caught!!

A thought