Head stay wire size

[Sail Maui]

I have a 30 year old ProFurl L31 roller furler with a 1x25 wire headstay that I am refurbishing this winter. It looks like 1x19 wire is predominately used for standing rigging and many marine suppliers do not even carry 1x25. I'm leaning to just using 1x19 but thought I'd like to get some input form other sailors before I commit. Boat is a 1967 35' Pearson Alberg that is used for coastal cruising but I'm dreaming about crossing the Atlantic in a few years.

 

[Terry Cox]

If it were my boat I would defer to a rigger for that kind of knowledge. Do you have the working load of each wire size? Many factors come into play with the head stay, or any stay for that matter. Rather than going for a smaller size, perhaps the next size up from a 1x25 would be wiser?

 

[LloydB]

I think you want 1/4 inch 1x19 ss wire as 1x25 stranded aircraft would be somewhat rare.

 

[Hunter216]

I have a 30 year old ProFurl L31 roller furler with a 1x25 wire headstay that I am refurbishing this winter. It looks like 1x19 wire is predominately used for standing rigging and many marine suppliers do not even carry 1x25. I'm leaning to just using 1x19 but thought I'd like to get some input form other sailors before I commit. Boat is a 1967 35' Pearson Alberg that is used for coastal cruising but I'm dreaming about crossing the Atlantic in a few years.

Welcome to SBO!
I didn’t know much about your boat so did a little Googling I can’t answer your forestay question ( I’ve never heard of 1x25 wire ) but can offer this link to what appears to a boat specific user group.

Home

Owners association for Pearson Alberg 35 sailboats.

www.alberg35.org

There is also a relatively new SBO user @markvannote that has a connection with Profurl and another very experienced person @DrJudyB that might be able to help with any furler questions you have.

Love to see some photos of your new to you boat!

 

[jssailem]

Here is a fun site for the Pearson Yachts...

Alberg 35

The Pearson Alberg 35 sailboat.

pearsonyachts.org

Regarding boats of similar size, when we refit my Cal 35, I increased the 1x19 wire size to 5/16 for my fore and stern stays. The 1/4 was originally on the boat.

Our boats are similar in length age and Mast Head rigged.

 

[Joe]

What you're looking for is a good fit with the foil's bearings on the headstay wire. You'll need to understand how to dismantle the foil without tearing it up.... those rigid sections were connected with set screw secured sleeves inserted between the sections... it might be a good time to make contact with ProFurl incase you need to order some parts or request advice on inspecting the rig.

 

[markvannote]

Hello,

Just doing my occasional pop-in. To clarify my connection, I am the sales manager for Wichard Inc which is the US branch for Wichard, Profurl, Facnor, Sparcraft. I have a very extensive professional rigging background.

In my rigging career I have never heard of 1x25 wire being used as standing rigging or at all for that matter. Checking myself I can't find it on the internet. 1 x19 is the industry standard.

There will be no parts available for an L31 furler if you run into problems with it while changing out your stay. You may be able to band-aid something if it comes up at this point but, personally, I would be looking for a longer term solution before leaving US shores. Very happy to hear that you are taking care of the stay. A broken furler will not kill you quite as effectively as broken standing rigging.

Thanks.
Mark

 

[Barnacle Bill]

If it were my boat I would defer to a rigger for that kind of knowledge. Do you have the working load of each wire size? Many factors come into play with the head stay, or any stay for that matter. Rather than going for a smaller size, perhaps the next size up from a 1x25 would be wiser?

1x25 has nothing to do with the diameter of the wire. It is the number of strands in the cable to make one.