New Standing Rigging Questions

[MHBsailor]

I need to have a new standing rigging made for my newly acquired CD 22D as what it came with is of unknown origin and may perhaps even be original (gasp!). In a project like this, there is the option to replace it with wire turnbuckles and fittings like original, or to go with the latest and greatest modern components. Does anyone know what brands the factory was using for standard circa 1984? I don't know if Spartan provides the turnbuckles. I'd post a photo but I dropped the entire set off at a reputable local rigger as they felt it was more reliable to work with what was on the boat rather than the factory specs which they felt were questionable n their experience.

Also, I can't help but wonder what the factory would be equipping CD22s with if they were still in business today? While I know that the Cape Dory motto was "A Standard of Value", in reality it seems that they didn't always quite live up to that ideal, so I there may be some latitude, but I would prefer to stick with the more traditional theme in keeping with the rest of the boat if possible unless there's some overwhelming advantage to going more modern. One thing's for sure - the standing rigging seems overbuilt for a 22-footer!

Thanks! JD

[mgphl52]

Congrats on your new Cape Dory! As for standing rigging, I would highly recommend going with StaLoc (?) fittings and be sure that none of the wire or terminals are Chinese stainless!!! It'll cost a bit more but proper stainless is well worth it.
I made a huge mistake a few years ago by hiring a supposedly "well respected" rigger from Pensacola FL to replace all of the standing rigging on KAYLA. What a screw up on my part! I spent twice what I should have and with in a few months all the fittings began to rust! Needless to say I will never recommend this "native Pensacola" rigger to anyone.
BTW: If anyone wants to know who that was, please PM me...

[Jim Walsh]

I replaced all my standing rigging myself. I bought the wire and the Sta-Lok fittings and did one stay every night after work. If you are not inclined to do it yourself just remove everything and bring it to Rigging Only in Fairhaven Mass.. Danny will help you select the fittings and he is fast and accurate.

[Steve Laume]

I second Jim's recommendation for using Rigging Only. I had them do my standing rigging a few years ago and my lifelines more recently. Great folks to work with.

I put tape on my turnbuckle threads at their proper adjustment point and brought the rigging to them, in Fairhaven. They know what they are doing and can answer any questions you may have or make adjustments you may want.

I asked about sta-Loc fittings as opposed to standard swedges. Their recommendation was that the swedged fittings would work out well as the boat was not going to spend a lot of time in the tropics. Since you are not apt to be doing a circumnavigation, I would keep things simple. They can make up the rigging cheaper than you can buy the material.

Drop it off, see their set up and ask any questions you may have, then expect a package in the mail with your old and new rigging, back in a week or so, Steve.

[s2sailorlis]

good advice from Jim and Steve. just remember when you send in the rigging, make sure it's set to the last optimal setting when the boat was last sailed. this way, you'll have proper adjustment range in the future. what makes the existing rigging appear dubious? God knows how old my forestay and back stay are. probably 20-25 years old. although i did replace the uppers 2 years ago with proper open turnbuckles vs the tubular turnbuckles which are a pain to adjust...

i'll have to try Rigging only. i had Sound Rigging in Essex, CT do mine. they did a fine job.

[Jim Walsh]

good advice from Jim and Steve. just remember when you send in the rigging, make sure it's set to the last optimal setting when the boat was last sailed. this way, you'll have proper adjustment range in the future. what makes the existing rigging appear dubious? God knows how old my forestay and back stay are. probably 20-25 years old. although i did replace the uppers 2 years ago with proper open turnbuckles vs the tubular turnbuckles which are a pain to adjust...

i'll have to try Rigging only. i had Sound Rigging in Essex, CT do mine. they did a fine job.

Chuck Poindexter at Sound Rigging Is great and their work is exemplary. I recommended Rigging Only because of the proximity to “Narragansett”. Both services are fine operations. I have used both over the years.

[MHBsailor]

Removed all of the standing rigging and took it over to R&W Ropes in New Bedford and they said it looked like it still had the original bronze turnbuckles. Unfortunately they also said that replacement bronze turnbuckles are much more expensive than chrome turnbuckles, so I'm wondering if the latter would look kinda tacky considering most of the other fittings are bronze, or if Cape Dory might have still equipped the boat with bronze turnbuckles if it were still in production today? How many of you now have chrome turnbuckles on your CDs?

[Jim Walsh]

Removed all of the standing rigging and took it over to R&W Ropes in New Bedford and they said it looked like it still had the original bronze turnbuckles. Unfortunately they also said that replacement bronze turnbuckles are much more expensive than chrome turnbuckles, so I'm wondering if the latter would look kinda tacky considering most of the other fittings are bronze, or if Cape Dory might have still equipped the boat with bronze turnbuckles if it were still in production today? How many of you now have chrome turnbuckles on your CDs?

I replaced everything but the bronze turnbuckle bodies. A close inspection at the time (and every year since) determined they were in fine shape. The great thing about bronze is that it will normally give an indication long before a spontaneous failure, it will bend and stretch. Many turnbuckle bodies are chromed bronze, some are stainless. Bronze turnbuckles are still available but rarely stocked. They can be special ordered.

[22D_NC]

Hi everyone,

I am also a new CD 22D owner in need of new standing rigging.
Would you all be able to give me an idea of what all new standing rigging might run -- with quality stainless?
Thanks!

Chris
_______
22D_NC

[fmueller]

Burr Brothers in Marion did my rigging 5 years ago. Like Jim, I kept the old turnbuckles. 3 years ago R&W rope made me new lifelines with proper pelican hooks and without the white plastic. These have been great.

Took my mast down last fall so this year I bought a Loos gauge. Really helps to get the rig tensions right.

[jfischgrund]

If you are in Rhode Island, you should contact New England Yacht Rigging in Warwick, R.I. They re-did the standing rigging on my CD 27' two years ago and did a great job. They took the old rigging when the boat was hauled in the fall, made the new rigging over the winter, and then in the spring, coordinated with the boatyard and installed the new rigging the day the boat was launched. Very easy to work with and reasonable prices -- highly recommended.

[MHBsailor]

Chris, a complete set (keeping the existing bronze turnbuckles which were individually inspected and deemed to be in good condition) was a little under $700. I like to think of that expense as among the cheapest insurance that one can buy against the consequences of the rig coming down because a vintage boat still has its own original standing rigging. In addition, it instills more confidence when the wind is really blowing . JD