Nylon bushings for insulated stays?
 

So, I was reading Hiscock's Cruising Under Sail yesterday and I came across as suggestion for insulated (back) stays that I hadn't run across before. He suggests simply a nylon bushing for the clevis pins (perhaps with some nylon washers, too, I presume?) It sounds so utterly simple I'm surprised I haven't come across it before. This is in the context of spliced wire over thimbles, BTW. Has anyone seen this before? Thoughts?

Nope
 

Hi there,
I am hoping that our seldom-heard-from genius Guy Stevens will chime in here soon, but meanwhile, having checked with him to confirm my (limited) understanding, the bushing that the estimable Mr. Hiscock recommended would indeed work fine as an insulator. Just about as efficient as the turnbuckle above it. Which is to say that neither one is what you are looking for.
Insulators are meant to make antennas more efficient by providing a separate, resonating antenna, and by preventing adjacent resonating structures from interfering with the signal. Oh, and they can keep the antenna from resonating where you might be hanging on to it while the radio is transmitting, thus preventing burns. But, with Guy's guidance, I have many times gotten great results with one or no insulators, depending on the vessel's configuration. If'/when he chimes in here, please know that he is a fabulous consultant, who doesn't charge what he is worth. Contact info coming soon.
Fair leads,
Brion Toss

Interesting. I had a feeling anything I hadn't heard of before might be to good to be true. Ah well. I'd be curious to know more about antenna theory. I do have dreams of installing an SSB someday should the boat bucks ever accumulate.