Today I replaced the cotter pins securing the turnbuckles on Alana's shrouds and stays with machine screws, nylon spacers and lock nuts. I started out planning to tap the threaded portions of the turnbuckles to accept machine screws, but found the nickle-bronze alloy difficult to work with. This project was designed to eliminate or reduce the corrosion that can occur underneath the rigging tape used to prevent sheets and halyards from snagging on cotter pins. The turnbuckles will now require two hands to release, but in my opinion that risk is offset by the reduced chance of fitting failure.
I have been staying busy with preventive maintenance and will periodically be working to brighten and beautify Alana's topsides. It feels good to be able to devote time to nice-to-do items rather that correcting systemic failures (yikes, that sounds a little too Obama-like). I have one more coat of Interlux Perfection to apply to her helm pedestal before reinstalling that system. I'll then be looking for an opportunity to get Alana underway for an autopilot test.
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