Question regarding the replacement of standing rigging

[Richard Formica]

Hi,
I am getting ready to put in a work order for the winter. It seems there is always one more thing to do than the budget allows. My question is this. Have people been replacing their standing rigging at a set interval or when an inspection suggests it should be done? Clearly this is not something that one would wait for failure to do. Two years ago when I purchased a new mast the rigger said that all of the shrouds a stays were fine except the two fore stays which he reccommended be replaced. I had those replaced. Since I am not the original owner, I do not know when they were last replaced although I suspect they were done because most were changed over to Stay Loc fittings. The boat was used lightly in the mid 90's and I have used it moderately since 1998. Any opinions helpful.
Thanks,
rich
s/v inerarity CD36 hull #32



richard.formica@yale.edu

[Mike Thorpe]

Rich,

Last winter I replace a damaged upper shroud on my 1987 CD-36 Journey's End (144)and this is the advice I got from my rigger.

1.Twenty years is about the lifespan in northern climates and less in southern climates (I live in Massachusetts).

2. Replace the standing rigging in pairs over time i.e. both uppers last winter, forestays and backstay this winter, etc.

3. If you have offshore intentions save the best of each pair for a spare to take with you.

Hope this helps.

Mike Thorpe
CD-36 Journey's End





mthorpe@capecod.net

[Boyd]

Since you are talking about winter I assume you are up north. My experience is with boats in semi tropical climates. The criteria I would use for rigging replacement is not time but the condition of the rigging itself. Stainless steel wire rigging developes a sprial rust pattern commonly refered to "barberpoling" Its subtile but easily seen. When this is apparent your wire is in trouble. Also the lower swages are a prime point of failure. If they develop cracks or rusting internally its time to replace everything. Occasionally a cheapskate boat owner will change the lowers to Sta Loc fittings and save the wire and uppers. Then sell the boat. This is deceptive to the max since rigging shops here recommend using swaged uppers and Norseman lowers when they do a complete change out.

This is very dangerous and if you suspect that just the lower fittings have been changed and not the wire.... its time to change everything.

Boyd

Hi,
I am getting ready to put in a work order for the winter. It seems there is always one more thing to do than the budget allows. My question is this. Have people been replacing their standing rigging at a set interval or when an inspection suggests it should be done? Clearly this is not something that one would wait for failure to do. Two years ago when I purchased a new mast the rigger said that all of the shrouds a stays were fine except the two fore stays which he reccommended be replaced. I had those replaced. Since I am not the original owner, I do not know when they were last replaced although I suspect they were done because most were changed over to Stay Loc fittings. The boat was used lightly in the mid 90's and I have used it moderately since 1998. Any opinions helpful.
Thanks,
rich
s/v inerarity CD36 hull #32

Tern30@aol.com