I have owned a 1993 Hunter 30T now for about 10 years. I sail it almost every weekend on a fresh water lake here in NC. My question for those of you who know more about rigging than I is what is the life expectancy for the standing rigging. Sailing conditions I experience are from 5 knots to 30 knots. Anyone have any tips would be greatly appreciated. Also anyone have any experience with the boat in the ocean or passages. Honeycraft
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Rust
I've read that your should examine for rust at the base of the rigging, where it meets the swage. Also beware individual lines pinging loose.
I've read that your should examine for rust at the base of the rigging, where it meets the swage. Also beware individual lines pinging loose.
One person's thoughts
I also have a 30, but an 89. First question is do you store with the mast up. If so, take it down every 2-3 years to check rigging and cotter pins where you cannot see or touch. Run wadded klennex down the rigging and you will see any burrs or breaks. Checking every few years is something I learned the hard way while motoring in rough weather and something happened to the cotter pin at the head of the roller furling. You don't want to hear the rest. I have heard various thoughts when standing wire rigging should be replaced but do not that think there are any hard and fast rules. As long as it doesn't corrode, elongate I would expect it to last many more years. I would be far more concerned if it was in salt water then fresh or you really stress the rig. Do check the turnbuckle for cracks, stripped threads, etc. I'm sure there are a lot of other opinions.
I also have a 30, but an 89. First question is do you store with the mast up. If so, take it down every 2-3 years to check rigging and cotter pins where you cannot see or touch. Run wadded klennex down the rigging and you will see any burrs or breaks. Checking every few years is something I learned the hard way while motoring in rough weather and something happened to the cotter pin at the head of the roller furling. You don't want to hear the rest. I have heard various thoughts when standing wire rigging should be replaced but do not that think there are any hard and fast rules. As long as it doesn't corrode, elongate I would expect it to last many more years. I would be far more concerned if it was in salt water then fresh or you really stress the rig. Do check the turnbuckle for cracks, stripped threads, etc. I'm sure there are a lot of other opinions.
RON, VARIOUS TECHNICAL OPINIONS...
advise you to replace the standing rigging every ten years whether it needs it or not. I'm sure your (as well as mine) rigging will last much longer. It really depends on what you plan to do. If, like me, you plan on keeping the same sailing pace for the next ten years, then it will probably hold up. On the other hand, if you plan on circumnavigating, then you will need new rigging given its age. The other posts provide good suggestions on checking for weak swage connections, burrs, etc. These indicators will tell you about how much more life is left and whether it has weak points. Terry
advise you to replace the standing rigging every ten years whether it needs it or not. I'm sure your (as well as mine) rigging will last much longer. It really depends on what you plan to do. If, like me, you plan on keeping the same sailing pace for the next ten years, then it will probably hold up. On the other hand, if you plan on circumnavigating, then you will need new rigging given its age. The other posts provide good suggestions on checking for weak swage connections, burrs, etc. These indicators will tell you about how much more life is left and whether it has weak points. Terry
Replacing Rigging
My surveyor (who spends much of his time working for insurance companies after a rig fails) explained to me that many times you cannot see the damage before it is too late. He indicated that a large percentage of dismastings, the failure occurrs inside of the swadge itself. A close inspection after the swadge is cut open indicates that at the time of the dismasting only one or two of the nine wires were holding (the others were rusted through), with no visible evidence outside of the swedge fitting. His recommendation which was echoed by several riggers (arguably w/ self interest in mind) was that the most conservative approach would be to replace every 5 years, and the most liberal being relplacement every 10 years. Having no history w/ my boat (purchased a repo)I dropped the $1500 for peace of mind.
My surveyor (who spends much of his time working for insurance companies after a rig fails) explained to me that many times you cannot see the damage before it is too late. He indicated that a large percentage of dismastings, the failure occurrs inside of the swadge itself. A close inspection after the swadge is cut open indicates that at the time of the dismasting only one or two of the nine wires were holding (the others were rusted through), with no visible evidence outside of the swedge fitting. His recommendation which was echoed by several riggers (arguably w/ self interest in mind) was that the most conservative approach would be to replace every 5 years, and the most liberal being relplacement every 10 years. Having no history w/ my boat (purchased a repo)I dropped the $1500 for peace of mind.
Rigger Heaven
..if everyone did 5 to 10 year replacements. Even some doing so would make the cash registers ring. I think careful inspection, penetrating dye and a good gut check will do for most, but certainly agree there is reason to do it after some number of cycles and age. I just think 10 years is conservative but will also point out that I lost a rig that was 10 years old when the top swedge of the upper let go. OTOH, I almost lost two rigs after they were re-rigged because of improper swedging in one case and a missing cotter pin in another. I will look into rod rigging when the time comes. Rick D.
..if everyone did 5 to 10 year replacements. Even some doing so would make the cash registers ring. I think careful inspection, penetrating dye and a good gut check will do for most, but certainly agree there is reason to do it after some number of cycles and age. I just think 10 years is conservative but will also point out that I lost a rig that was 10 years old when the top swedge of the upper let go. OTOH, I almost lost two rigs after they were re-rigged because of improper swedging in one case and a missing cotter pin in another. I will look into rod rigging when the time comes. Rick D.
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