Longevity of Norseman Fittings

[edzacko]

When I built my boat 33 years ago I used all Norseman terminals. I have re-rigged every 10 years but have been using these same terminals throughout this time with great success.
The boat has crossed the Atlantic 4 times, the Pacific Once, and a lot of ocean miles in between.

It is now time to re-rig and the main question is: Can I still continue to re-use the same terminals or--after such a long run without failure, "is enough enough" and is it time to start new?

New Norseman--or Hi Mod?

I inspect the rig-top and bottom before and after each passage and all of the terminals look fine inside and out but you know how that goes!

I also hear that I may no longer be able to get new cones for these old terminals--as they are no longer produced for the older models. Any truth to this? If so, ot makes the whole point moot.
Any thoughts would be welcome.

[Brion Toss]

Hi,
Everything wears out eventually, and you have used your rig far more than most people. At this stage in a rig's life, when the load cycles are building up, it is natural to wonder about the reliability of fatigue-vulnerable items that we would ordinarily take for granted because they are so beefy, and meant to last a long time. Your tangs and chainplates come to mind, too.
If you can demonstrate that your wire terminals are so strong that the millions of load cycles they've endured aren't significant, you might be okay. But is that likely?
Corrosion is another matter; likely to be some.
Just the absence of spare parts availability would steer me away from re-use.
In sum, I think you've demonstrated the financial advantage inherent in properly-installed re-usable terminals. Count up how many dollars you've saved by not replacing the terminals every time you've rerigged. That should help you feel better about investing in some new Hayn's.
Fair leads,
Brion Toss

[edzacko]

Thanks so much Brion. I was thinking along the same lines myself. In past re-riggings I HAVE replaced not only the tangs but also the bolts and will do so again.

The chain plates were all replaced 4 years ago.

Finally--what about those "all Bronze Merriman Turnbuckles" that I love so much. They are the same vintage and have been well lubed-again, is it a case of "enough is too much" as Popeye would say?

I guess it is time for those as well? Does anything come close to those Merrimans---a suggestion please. They are/were a fine piece of kit.

Thanks
Ed

[Brion Toss]

Hi again,
As I understand it, bronze is slower to fatigue than stainless, and unlike stainless the hardening can be reversed with heat treatment. Perhaps a local foundry could confirm this, and help you with it. If not, Hayn makes a fine all-bronze turnbuckle.
Fair leads,
Brion Toss