Hey there saylors :O) I'm in a process of reviving a 22 ft. boat and have a question about standing rigging. Can I use a 7x19 ss(304) wire rope for shrouds and stays? I know that 1x19 is usually used, but I happen to have a spool of 7x19 rope. What do you say...Yey or Ney... P.S. the spool says 1/8 dia. 1720 lb breaking load 304 stainless. (I'll be sailing in the fresh water only) Any info is appreciated. Thanks! Al. alexderiy@yahoo.com
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Don't do it
7x19 is for halyards. 1x19 is used for standing rigging for two reasons: 1/8 1x19 is rated 2100# (about 22% stronger than the 7x19) 1x19 has a lower modulus of elasticity. For a 50 foot wire, the 1x19 will stretch 1.49" at 25% of it's breaking strength, 7x19 will stretch 2.07" The rigging loads are a constant. If the load is 420# it is 20% of the 1x19 rated strength. The same 420# is 24% of the 7x19's rated strength. Since the 7x19 stretches more the leeward shrouds will go slack causing greater shock loading on the rig every time you tack. The 7x19 will fatigue faster and fail sooner than 1x19. Are you sure the boat calls for 1/8 shrouds? Sounds a bit on the small side to me.
7x19 is for halyards. 1x19 is used for standing rigging for two reasons: 1/8 1x19 is rated 2100# (about 22% stronger than the 7x19) 1x19 has a lower modulus of elasticity. For a 50 foot wire, the 1x19 will stretch 1.49" at 25% of it's breaking strength, 7x19 will stretch 2.07" The rigging loads are a constant. If the load is 420# it is 20% of the 1x19 rated strength. The same 420# is 24% of the 7x19's rated strength. Since the 7x19 stretches more the leeward shrouds will go slack causing greater shock loading on the rig every time you tack. The 7x19 will fatigue faster and fail sooner than 1x19. Are you sure the boat calls for 1/8 shrouds? Sounds a bit on the small side to me.
Thanks...316 or 304...?
Thanks for the info...I thought so to, that it has to have something to do with stretch. As for 1/8 shrouds - all catalinas and similar boats in 22ft range are rigged with 1/8 wire(uunless they have been beefed up for some ofshore sailing or heavy duty racing.... I'm a beer can sailor :O) I will use the 7x19 for my running backstay, though. Does anyone know a cheap (or at least reasonable) rigging website? and...would it be worth buying a 316 stainless or 304 will do for fresh water??? THANKS again, Al
Thanks for the info...I thought so to, that it has to have something to do with stretch. As for 1/8 shrouds - all catalinas and similar boats in 22ft range are rigged with 1/8 wire(uunless they have been beefed up for some ofshore sailing or heavy duty racing.... I'm a beer can sailor :O) I will use the 7x19 for my running backstay, though. Does anyone know a cheap (or at least reasonable) rigging website? and...would it be worth buying a 316 stainless or 304 will do for fresh water??? THANKS again, Al
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