How Old is your Standing Rigging?

[LordNelson]

I have an 1974 ODay 20, so the standing rigging is 35 years old. When I went to launch on Monday, I discovered the front stay connection had snapped off. I am quessing maybe it was weak and slapped something while trailering the 2 miles to the launch as it was there in the driveway.

The rigging looks almost new, but it has been suggested that I should replace all the standing rigging, including the turnbuckles. I was wondering if other people routinely change their standing rigging and when?

 

[comfortzone]

Good question

I suspect there are a number of us afraid to ask the\is question. I have a '72 O'day and I think the standing rigging is original. Now I know the boat wasn't used for many years and never used often but I'm not even sure that is relevant. I had planned to replace this year thru Rudy but didn't get it done. The economy and uncertainty about my job kept me from spending. I'm sure I'm on borrowed time and the best advice surely is when in doubt, replace. There is no fraying of the cables but one lower shroud turnbuckle bolt has a slight bend. I'll look forward to the responses.

 

[HukilauMike]

The conventional wisdom is that standing rigging should be replaced every ten years. That varies depending on the location, with those in warmer, wetter climes perhaps replacing their rigging more often, and those with short seasons a little less often. Thirty five years is way out of line. Replace it all, every turnbuckle and fitting, now.

 

[caguy]

I replaced the uppers on my '84 Mac last year, as there were some broken strands at the spreaders. I suspect that much of the damage was done while bending the wires around when trailering. I replaced them with the more flexible 7x19 rather than the 1x19. I only replaced the uppers because I wanted to see how the 7x19 wires worked out. So far they have been great. The are much easier to handle when bundling for travel and less likely to fatigue especially at the spreaders. I will probably replace the lowers this year or next with the same if all continues to work out.
Saved a bundle by doing them myself in WM's parking lot using their tools.

 

[Joe11688]

My back stay and my two upper stays are original from 1986 and all the rest of my stays were replaced in 1993 when I lost my first mast. I may replace my two upper stays next year. They still appear to be in excellent condition for their age. I remove all my stays in the fall and stow them in my cellar. In the spring, I inspect them and take a hair drier and melt wax into the swadged joints of each stay. This keeps the water out and prevents corrosion.
Joe

 

[LordNelson]

my boat has always been in fresh water, so at this point there is no visable corrosion and no fraying on the cables. metal fatigue would probably be my main concern, especially in the connections to the chain plates.

 

[caguy]

I replaced the uppers on my '84 Mac last year, as there were some broken strands at the spreaders. I suspect that much of the damage was done while bending the wires around when trailering. I replaced them with the more flexible 7x19 rather than the 1x19. I only replaced the uppers because I wanted to see how the 7x19 wires worked out. So far they have been great. The are much easier to handle when bundling for travel and less likely to fatigue especially at the spreaders. I will probably replace the lowers this year or next with the same if all continues to work out.
Saved a bundle by doing them myself in WM's parking lot using their tools.

I was at the boat yesterday and noticed that the 7x19 stay cables were tarnished. I didn't see any corrosion and it wasn't of every bundle strand. I will look more closely with a magnifying glass to make sure there is no corrosion. If there isn't I will clean them up and coat with a waxing.
I also notice that my windex has gotten stuck. There is nothing blocking it. I have a feeling that the small rod that it pivots on has oxidized. I'm with Hermit and Rosana Dana, ''there is always something.''

 

[windwardblank]

I wish i had replaced my rigging

I have a oday 20, '76. my mast fell today due to a backstay that snapped at the turnbuckle. I dont know how old the rigging was but was prob original. I looked ok. Replace your rigging NO later than q 20 yrs, probably q10- 15 yrs. Inspect visual each sailing day, but this is limited in helpfulness.
Do not wait like i did.