I've done a complete standing rigging replacement (well, the mast isn't up yet but the rigging is all here) and I have a question about forestay replacements and roller furlers. I have a North Sails Unit 0, with installation manual that says 'Copyright Harken June 85'. It's always worked just fine so I didn't consider replacing it. But, when considering the forestay replacement, I looked thru the book and noticed that red locktite is used throughout, including joining the foil sections. Knowing how 'permanent' that stuff is, and being the rookie that I am (my first boat, never sailed before, now starting my 4th summer), I figured I'd let the riggers at the marina handle the forestay replacement. They have their own swaging machine, so they must do this all the time, right? And the forestay is the most critical stay, isn't it? My question comes after I talked to them about it. Rather than disassemble the foils, and maybe ruin them, they cut the old wire and, I'm not sure exactly how, but they attached the new wire to the old and then pulled it through. Then they moved the entire assembly to their swage machine and attached the ends. I got the impression that they hadn't done it like this before, and that most people replace the furler when they replace the stay. Being the bill was a bit over 600, with labor something over 4, did I goof? I know that's a lot less than a new stay AND furler, but maybe I should have gone that route and ended up with all new. I'm confident I could have installed a new furler myself, saving all those labor costs, which would have gotten me a new furler for just an additional 8 or 9 hundred. (Just?? Sheesh.) I know I shoulda asked around first, especially here, but I didn't think it was any big deal until they were done. Now I really have to wonder if this wasn't one of those expensive lessons. So. What's been your experience?
