I just removed the cable covers from my new to me boat. They were very brittle, in very bad condition and seemed to be holding a lot of grunge on the rigging. No meat hooks but a lot of dirt underneath. What is the general thought on these things - are they damaging the rigging holding in all this stuff? Should they be removed periodically? Should I attempt to clean the stays, and if so with what?
Are cable covers for standing rigging good?
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Just clean the rigging good.
The idea is that they are easier on sails than the stainless steel. I think just removing them and cleanning underneath is the thing to do if you use them. I think the rigging will fair better without them but in fresh water it probably makes little difference. In salt water I would want to clean behind them as salt and stainless don't mix very well. I have seen stainless rust in ten years with salt exposure. Just a good flush with fresh water makes the stuff last almost forever.
The idea is that they are easier on sails than the stainless steel. I think just removing them and cleanning underneath is the thing to do if you use them. I think the rigging will fair better without them but in fresh water it probably makes little difference. In salt water I would want to clean behind them as salt and stainless don't mix very well. I have seen stainless rust in ten years with salt exposure. Just a good flush with fresh water makes the stuff last almost forever.
Cable Covers
I have been told that ABYC guidance will say that cable covers for standing rigging and lifelines will no longer be suggested due to corrosion problems with SS wire. I have no covers on my standing rigging (2003 H356) and will not have covered wire used when I replace my lifelines some time in the future.
I have been told that ABYC guidance will say that cable covers for standing rigging and lifelines will no longer be suggested due to corrosion problems with SS wire. I have no covers on my standing rigging (2003 H356) and will not have covered wire used when I replace my lifelines some time in the future.
I love mine
Sure, grunge will grow underneath the cable covers. It'll stay moist and never get any sun to dry out. Every time I go by the covers, I lift and spin them and they stay clean and dry. As far as stainless needing to breath.... Thats a new one for me. Should I check for a heart beat too? I believe the concept was, when tacking, the jib will slide across these covers which will roll as opposed to dragging across the rigging, saving your sails. Just my opinion. I've also seen wheels on the lifelines to aid in the jib moving from side to side Keep it up, Ctskip
Sure, grunge will grow underneath the cable covers. It'll stay moist and never get any sun to dry out. Every time I go by the covers, I lift and spin them and they stay clean and dry. As far as stainless needing to breath.... Thats a new one for me. Should I check for a heart beat too? I believe the concept was, when tacking, the jib will slide across these covers which will roll as opposed to dragging across the rigging, saving your sails. Just my opinion. I've also seen wheels on the lifelines to aid in the jib moving from side to side Keep it up, Ctskip
Stainless needs exposure to air
Stainless steel is not totally "rustproof" as one might be led to believe. If the rigging is covered with cable covers it should be inspected very often to be sure there is no corrosive action taking place, especially in a salt air environment. I agree that cable covers are a good thing to have to help minimize the wear on sails, but take them off once in awhile, and clean the rigging. Remember too, that there are differing grades of stainless steel, and if you replace rigging, be sure to get the appropriate material. Inspect your lifelines too!
Stainless steel is not totally "rustproof" as one might be led to believe. If the rigging is covered with cable covers it should be inspected very often to be sure there is no corrosive action taking place, especially in a salt air environment. I agree that cable covers are a good thing to have to help minimize the wear on sails, but take them off once in awhile, and clean the rigging. Remember too, that there are differing grades of stainless steel, and if you replace rigging, be sure to get the appropriate material. Inspect your lifelines too!
You're in luck...
Check out my new and improved shroud stay quard in the Photo Forum. Easy to make, no gunk build up, covers the stay turn buckle and allows the SS stranded cable to breath. I hated the old stuff. Opinions welcome. Terry
Check out my new and improved shroud stay quard in the Photo Forum. Easy to make, no gunk build up, covers the stay turn buckle and allows the SS stranded cable to breath. I hated the old stuff. Opinions welcome. Terry
Oxygen starvation for stainless...
Is not good. No, don't like 'em, agree with these swabs...;-) For some reason rigging tape usually does not get mold/rust a-going, but if using ring-cotters and no chaff any ol how why have the plastic? I usually tune often and do not have cotters on mine usually, but I do not recommend it...need to keep a hawk eye on all that sort of stuff. BTW the jib/genoa does NOT need plastic to 'roll' over on a tack!
Is not good. No, don't like 'em, agree with these swabs...;-) For some reason rigging tape usually does not get mold/rust a-going, but if using ring-cotters and no chaff any ol how why have the plastic? I usually tune often and do not have cotters on mine usually, but I do not recommend it...need to keep a hawk eye on all that sort of stuff. BTW the jib/genoa does NOT need plastic to 'roll' over on a tack!
Try 1 inch pvc pipe
I use 1 inch pvc pipe from a big box store with the pvc caps on my shrouds. I drilled the caps in the center for the width of the wire and then cut a slit to the hole with a table saw to allow them to be slipped through the shrouds. Then on the bottom caps drill a couple of small holes to let water out. The slits let air in. They work great! They spin freely so when my jib comes around it acts as a bearing. I can slide them up to inspect the wire and they make a great handhold when I lose my balance coming forward!!! Manny
I use 1 inch pvc pipe from a big box store with the pvc caps on my shrouds. I drilled the caps in the center for the width of the wire and then cut a slit to the hole with a table saw to allow them to be slipped through the shrouds. Then on the bottom caps drill a couple of small holes to let water out. The slits let air in. They work great! They spin freely so when my jib comes around it acts as a bearing. I can slide them up to inspect the wire and they make a great handhold when I lose my balance coming forward!!! Manny
Most rigging shops
will tell you not to use cable covers on standing rigging for all the reasons listed below. Yet most presume that you would use a cable cover that fits tightly over your rigging. This is pretty common. But since the primary use of cable covers is to protect your sails from chafe, I use cable covers only on those shrouds that come in contact with my sails, and I buy and use covers a few sizes too large. This results in water/air being able to circulate under the covers and the covers will rotate when you bring the sail across it. Works for me and no crud, grunge or rust under the covers.
will tell you not to use cable covers on standing rigging for all the reasons listed below. Yet most presume that you would use a cable cover that fits tightly over your rigging. This is pretty common. But since the primary use of cable covers is to protect your sails from chafe, I use cable covers only on those shrouds that come in contact with my sails, and I buy and use covers a few sizes too large. This results in water/air being able to circulate under the covers and the covers will rotate when you bring the sail across it. Works for me and no crud, grunge or rust under the covers.
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