Does anyone have a good solution for turnbuckle cover tubes?

Mine are splitting from sun damage and I can’t find any replacements from an internet search.

The old ones are Davis instruments, 17” long with a 1.125” ID and are no longer on their website.

Everything I’ve found so far is expensive and I haven’t found a nice plastic tube to cut up.

Jonathan Gorbold

Questar 1226

Do you actually even need them? I haven't  had them on the mid and aft shrouds for over 40 years and so far have not seen chafe or damage to the sail. I do have them on the forward lowers however. When I see six shroud protectors 3 feet tall all I see is unnecessary windage. 

Hi Jonathan,

The Davis tubes are no longer made. I’ve inquired at several marine supply stores and online and the answer seems to be very consistent that they stopped making them. They were great as they were the perfect size. I am still limping along with the now very old ones and now down to 5.

Re Jims comment on windage I agree they are a bit bulky but if you have a tube just covering the turnbuckles with a cover and a smaller tube resting on top covering the first few feet of the shroud it helps the sail go by when tacking as the upper tube rolls around the shroud. That’s the theory anyway.

Robin

I agree Robin, they are the perfect size, and I like that a standard pvc pipe fits inside them. I have them to cover all side stay turnbuckles with longer pvc pipes on the forward lowers and uppers.