How do I remove swage fittings for replacement?

[Scott T-Bird]

Greg, all true. I've read the pros & cons of swageless vs swaged fittings. It can be a cost savings if he owns the boat for 10 or 15 years when replacing the rigging again.

I'm considering the situation. He is a new owner of what is probably an older boat (if the rigging needs replacement). The swageless fittings will be more expensive and far more work for him to perform. Production boats are universally fitted with swaged fittings. I'm sure there are a multitude of competent riggers in Michigan and I would assume that workmanship is no less competent among any of the riggers than it would be for a first-time boat owner who has zero experience inspecting and rigging a boat. Sure, it's not rocket science, and the literature says that anybody with reasonable skills can do it. But why would a professional rigger be any less competent?

Wouldn't the new boat owner have far more things to do rather than a DIY rigging project? I suppose that I would take the project on if I had time and the desire at a later stage in boat ownership, but I think I would let a professional do this job if I was just getting started (in fact I already did years ago, without any reservations).

 

[scotmcpherson]

Just a little something to consider. Using compression fittings is usually a lot more
Expensive that paying a professional to build you brand new swage fitted rigging.

 

[Delezynski]

Just a little something to consider. Using compression fittings is usually a lot more
Expensive that paying a professional to build you brand new swage fitted rigging.

From my personal experience, JUST NOT TRUE.
It might have been in the past, but not now.

In the past, the Sta-Lok and Norseman fittings all had parts that were required to be replaced each time the fitting was used. Make one mistake and shell out a couple more bucks. The new Hi-Mod fitting are re-usable with no extra parts to replace.

My cost to re-rig Guenevere (see my Youtube video link posted above) was less than half the price quoted by 3 different riggers!

But as I said, if you are not planning to head out some place other than local waters and you have a towing service, do what's easy for you. But if you are planning to ever actually go cruising, learn ALL you can now, when you have the time and access to a lot if information!

Greg

Greg

 

[scotmcpherson]

Greg, I just recently priced this out. Compression fittings are way more expensive than swage fittings. By the time I got done pricing it out to do it myself, it made much more sense to have the rigger do it for me

 

[Delezynski]

Greg, I just recently priced this out. Compression fittings are way more expensive than swage fittings. By the time I got done pricing it out to do it myself, it made much more sense to have the rigger do it for me

Interesting, must be the places we live. I expect size might have influence on it also.

Greg

 

[Maine Sail]

Norseman is no longer made.

?????????????

 

[Delezynski]

Greg, I just recently priced this out. Compression fittings are way more expensive than swage fittings. By the time I got done pricing it out to do it myself, it made much more sense to have the rigger do it for me

Another thing that just came to mind. I bought the fittings and wire from one of the riggers I had do a quote. That might have helped??????

I know I got the fittings for less than a few of the on-line shopping sites.

Greg

 

[mitiempo]

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That is what I was told, but an internet search shows they are now owned by Lewmar. Not sure how recent that is.

Also found a 5 year old thread on Sailnet you were involved in - interesting reading.

I also have an unrelated question and will pm you.

 

[Anonymous member 131]

Please don't get riled anyone this is just who i am... Ok, for all you that think a first timer isnt able to perform a simple job like rigging. I am considered a profesional in a few industries because I can read, comprehend and MOST OF ALL "DO" and admit when its right or not. If its not right I doit until it is right. NEVER ASSUME what somone else is able to do. Especially when they have the backup from good people that HAVE done it and are willing to help. I have watched the videos and feel confident I can do this. The reason I want to do it is founded in my first trip single handing a 30' sail boat, crazy me for my first sailing experience in two hundred plus feet of water in an old 1980 catalina that was probably not in shape to make the trip. However, I made it make the trip with many problems that would have made many other people never get on a sail boat again. Because I learned my leasons well I will never be out in blue water without being able to fix anything on my boat. And yes spelling is one thing I sm not a professional at, and never will be and dont care to be.

 

[dhays]

Mark,

You will find that on Sailing forums folks will fall generally into one of two camps. Camp 1 are those you will tell you that you, your boat, your crew, your electronics, your engine, and your toilet paper choice will kill everyone who comes within 5 nautical radius unless they are the best and most expensive available, and then only if handled by a grizzled veteran with 5 circumnavigations under their belt. This camp also will tell you that a hurricane will hit you as soon as you leave port.

Camp 2 are those that think that anyone with a pulse, some ingenuity, and guts can make any boat float and float anywhere you may want it to go. They disdain anything "marine" rated and chafe at the idea that some things are best done after some experience.

Both camps have something to offer and you can learn from both of them. In the end, it is your boat, your decision.

Dave

 

[Anonymous member 131]

Thanks Dave. I have taken information from both camps I think. I hope to continue to do so. I just wanted everyone to understand that cost cutting is not always the reason for anything. If it were i'd go get swage fittings not look at a more expensive avenue. I like to tell the kids I have come to my backwoods/lumberman camp every year: if I dont learn something constructive every day I'll be dead. I soak up knowledge and love doing it. So this adventure is just another learning experience that I hope to do until I am dead.

 

[Delezynski]

Thanks Dave. I have taken information from both camps I think. I hope to continue to do so. I just wanted everyone to understand that cost cutting is not always the reason for anything. If it were i'd go get swage fittings not look at a more expensive avenue. I like to tell the kids I have come to my backwoods/lumberman camp every year: if I dont learn something constructive every day I'll be dead. I soak up knowledge and love doing it. So this adventure is just another learning experience that I hope to do until I am dead.

WELL SAID!

Greg

 

[Joe]

Mark,

You will find that on Sailing forums folks will fall generally into one of two camps. Camp 1 are those you will tell you that you, your boat, your crew, your electronics, your engine, and your toilet paper choice will kill everyone who comes within 5 nautical radius unless they are the best and most expensive available, and then only if handled by a grizzled veteran with 5 circumnavigations under their belt. This camp also will tell you that a hurricane will hit you as soon as you leave port.

Camp 2 are those that think that anyone with a pulse, some ingenuity, and guts can make any boat float and float anywhere you may want it to go. They disdain anything "marine" rated and chafe at the idea that some things are best done after some experience.

Both camps have something to offer and you can learn from both of them. In the end, it is your boat, your decision.

Dave

Well........ I totally disagree. I think most of us fall somewhere between the two camps ... does that make us centrists or moderates. Nah... If you find people on this forum who advocate using the best of everything and not doing their own work when possible.... they probably own a Hinckley or Morris ... and therefore on the wrong forum.

Whether you use mechanical or machine swaged fittings... or even bolted clamps for that matter... is irrelevant. It's about your budget and it's about being safe. The experienced members on this forum all keep safety in mind when making suggestions..... and if they don't... well.. trust me they will hear about it from the others.

I think the one thing we will all agree upon is that anyone getting in to sailing should spend some time learning the basics.... like simple sailing terms and maneuvers and the major parts of the sailboat. If you attend a local sailing school, take private lessons, or just study the more popular "how to sail" manuals you will be exposed to this.
IMHO I think there is no excuse for someone getting into this sport otherwise... if not for your own safety.. at least for the guests on your boat or those in the water around you.

 

[woodster]

why not have the lines replaced with the same thing that was there and keep a mechanical fitting on board for emergency repairs you can get then done by SECO South in largo fl about as cheap as any place on the planet and they stand by there work

 

[Steve Dion]

You may want to contact Seco South regarding replacing the rigging. If you send them you existing rigging they can duplicate it for you.

 

[Delezynski]

Mark,

We rigged for long distance self sufficiency before we headed out cruising in 2004.
During that prep I ran across two things (in the rigging area) that you might be interested in.

First, I bought a set of extended length Sta-Lok terminals. They are made for the exact thing you first asked about. They are made extra long so you can cut off an old fitting and replace it and not loose the rest of the wire. I only intended them as an emergency backup and still have them in my "blue-water" kit. I am not recommending them for your use, just surprised no one else seems to have talked about them.

Second item was a batch of cable clamps. SIMPLE, STRONG, and VERY low cost! In an emergency situation, you can use a small section of spare wire rigging (in the blue water kit also), OR a small bit of your dinghy anchor chain, and the cable clamps to replace a broken wire.

I have a few other things in the kit also, but thought you might be interested in these two.

Greg

 

[Anonymous member 131]

I spent two years doing exactly that. Ive read most every popular sailing book I could get my hands on. How eles could I have single handed an old 30' sail boat five days from the tip of northern lower michigan down to the saginaw bay? Im sitting here just truly disgusted! Assume what you want im no stupid kid. Ive done my home work ive spent my due time I know the language the "rules of the road" have you read them lately? I just did two days ago AGAIN to insure they stay fresh in my mind. I am getting old something may slip my mind... oh what was I talking about? Oh yes assume what you may but stick to the question that was asked and exhustively answered I didnt ask your opinion on how intellegent I am or if im as tenured as you are. Again thank you everyone for the CONSTRUCTIVE information from someone that can admit they dont know it all.

 

[Anonymous member 131]

Greg yes I would be interested in what you have in your blue water kit id like to see an example of the cable clamps you mention sounds like a good backup for emergencies thank you

 

[Delezynski]

Mark,

The clamps I keep in both my boat and towing kit are like the ones at lows;

Greg

 

[Anonymous member 131]

You may want to contact Seco South regarding replacing the rigging. If you send them you existing rigging they can duplicate it for you.

Steve, Id think the shipping from florida to michigan would off set any savings. Anyway I am only trying to learn what is sensible and not within safe parms. For rigging/sailing. I figure if I dont ask I wont know and thats what I figure these forums are for. Im not in it for sport, im in it because believe it or not I enjoy it. No noisy engines just the wind in my sails and water under my keel. I went out yesterday and almost grounded in the middle of my marinnas channel so now im on a mission to get my cradle built and get my boat up to caseville where I ll be docking next year. I did look for the cheapest dockage for the half year I had my boat in the water and wished id spent the extra few hundred as this marrina has a 3 nm channel in and out that was dredged this spring and is alreadey up to 6' 3" depth at the end which with the two foot waves we had yesterday grounded me till I anchored aways to the south hooked the main halyard on pitched the boat over and got farther on the southern side of the channel. Scared my wife pretty good but now she knows I can handle the boat she feels better. Anyway thanks again everyone for great info. And anyone wanting to share info on things like greg has on his blue water kit id love to hear and see it.