d wire turnbuckle on my hobie 20 is very hard to turn. Almost broke the screwdriver I used to turn it with. I can only get about a half turn on it. It is at the low end of the rcomended setting. And yes I have spayed mcclube all on it

It's probably time to replace it - but you may want to try a penetrating lubricant like WD40...McLube will not get into the threads (the solvent evaporates quickly leaving a dry lubricant film on whatever was sprayed).

PB Blaster for the win. You can find it in the automotive stores around the brake cleaner with a yeller top.

I've let seized spark plugs sit in PB Blaster overnight and then pulled them out with finger-torque the next day. Its amazing stuff.

PB Blaster or Kroil. Both excellent. The Kroil wicks in the best.

Did ya try some 'Harsh Sailor Words' on it ??

You might want to take it apart and run a Tap and Die over the threads. Stainless is very susceptible to galling so trying to force it will only make it worse. Then use something like Tefgel to coat the threads.

I remember now sailing along in decent breeze, trapped out and hearing a PING sound from the mast somewhere. Kind of scary because I had no clue what it was. Thinking back now I'm wondering if the thing stripped itself somehow. Does this ever happen to you guys?

And yes I swore up and down at the thing

You might have to bring some heat into the situation. Thermal expansion and contraction is a great way to loosen up seized bolts.

Just... don't get the flame too close to the mast

I've heard that noise from both my knee and my shoulder at various times!

I heard the same sound on my 5.8 when I was in plenty of wind and waves, about 30 mins later the sidestay broke inside the suage resulting in a written off boat and a rescue.

I'm not familiar with the Hobie 20 turnbuckle...but no - I've never heard of such a thing. Check your rigging for a popped wire strand.

I heard a "pop" while sailing the Fernandina leg of the Tybee last year and we couldnt figure out what it was. By the time we landed, we forgot all about it. The next day we finished in Tybee and began to de rig and I found a broken chain plate on my Starboard shroud. My blood ran cold. Nothing more than sheer luck kept that thing together for the next 100 miles.

That's the second chainplate breakage I've heard of...where exactly did it break? We've already inspected all of ours pretty thoroughly just last week.

Lee ,
Did you replace your diamond wire yet?

Like Jake said The ping that was heard was most likely strands of wire parting. The 2 times I've heard that sound it was followed by a mast coming down.

I saw a chainplate (just like the hobie's use)break on a supercat 19, 2 summers ago.


I had a chainplate/tang break on me this past christmas day (pic below) ... i replaced both sides... and both had cracks... can't wait for the bow tangs to go... uggggg

In 2008, after the long, 15TWS beat to weather from Jupiter to Cocoa beach - Trey told me that the "mast made some nasty noises all day".

6AM the next morning, Derek and I pulled the boat over on its side and saw three strands parted at the top of the forestay. Replaced it immediately and thank goodness since the last leg to Tybee was a particularly nasty leg.

Note to Tybee sailors - tell your ground crews about the sounds you hear. These things are important since ground crews typically wont automatically inspect the top of the mast.

A lotta good info here, good to share with all !!!
My 14 Hobie did that years ago ( my first cat) I'd better check my 17 & 18 this year.....

better to be lucky than good Lee!