Rigging change

[wonbae]

How often a set of rigging should be changed?
I have a Oceanus 321 purchased in 1996 and have been sailing around the coast of New England. I sail about 4 - 5 months/year. We do not go out in heavy weather unless we were caught by the unprectied weather. Last year, we only sailed about 5 days during the summer due to the weather.
My boat marina suggests that I should change the entire rigging due to the age of the boat. Should I follow the advice of the marina or may I wait longer? I would appreciatae your input. Thanks.

Won

 

[Rick D]

I had the same thoughts as you for my 1994 boat. I had a rigger look at it a few years ago and do a rig survey for $175. He said that the rigging was fine, a tune was in order but replacement was not needed. He said that some boats (this era Hunter being one) used domestic stainless which, in his experience, was more durable than some of the imported wire more commonly used on the west coast. In any event, I sent the report to the insurance underwriter and that was that. I just recently had him do another inspection. I think at that age, they should be checked more often. The rule of thumb is ten years, but like many, it's a variable. I would have an independent rigger look at it, but with the realization that you are asking the guy who would make money doing the job.

 

[wonbae]

Reply

I had the same thoughts as you for my 1994 boat. I had a rigger look at it a few years ago and do a rig survey for $175. He said that the rigging was fine, a tune was in order but replacement was not needed. He said that some boats (this era Hunter being one) used domestic stainless which, in his experience, was more durable than some of the imported wire more commonly used on the west coast. In any event, I sent the report to the insurance underwriter and that was that. I just recently had him do another inspection. I think at that age, they should be checked more often. The rule of thumb is ten years, but like many, it's a variable. I would have an independent rigger look at it, but with the realization that you are asking the guy who would make money doing the job.[/quote

Thank you for the information. I will try an independent rigger.

 

[Prime Time]

Failure modes

The most common causes of rigging failure is corrosion at lower swages and chain plate issues. A good rigger can examine chainplates and rigging microscopically to detect problems. I sent a chain plate to Brion Toss in Washington state to evaluate them.