I've noticed that the lower shroud on my O'day 222 has two strands frayed. How urgent is it to replace this cable - immediate or can it wait for the end of the season?
Maintenance question
- Thread starter Phil M.18166
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D
Dave K, O'day 192 #313
Don't wait!
I'd address any weakness in the standing rigging without delay. It's cheap to do it now, compared to the cost of repairs should it fail while you are sailing and you lose or break the mast. D&R marine should be able to send you a direct replacement with the correct terminations already swaged on. For boats that stay in the water, I've heard that the standing rigging should be replaced every 15 years. A boat that is trailer-sailed may be able to go a bit longer than that, but even so the rigging on boats like ours built in the '80s is about due.
I'd address any weakness in the standing rigging without delay. It's cheap to do it now, compared to the cost of repairs should it fail while you are sailing and you lose or break the mast. D&R marine should be able to send you a direct replacement with the correct terminations already swaged on. For boats that stay in the water, I've heard that the standing rigging should be replaced every 15 years. A boat that is trailer-sailed may be able to go a bit longer than that, but even so the rigging on boats like ours built in the '80s is about due.
J
James
The voice of experience
Phil - Dave K is absolutley right. The first year I had my O'Day 23, in 2001 (it is a 1982 boat) we were sailing on Buzzards bay and my friend looked up and uttered ...."Should the ..." The rest of the sentence .... "mast bend like that" was lost as the mast came crashing down. No one was hurt but it took most of the next 6+ weeks to get the mast repaired. Upon inspecting the failed shrouds we saw that the threads on the turnbuckle had failed. This allowed the shroud to pull out and the entire force was carried by the other shroud for about 20 seconds. As I said earlier we were lucky that no one was hurt as the mast came down - so my advice is spend the $68 at D nad R Marine and sail safe. James
Phil - Dave K is absolutley right. The first year I had my O'Day 23, in 2001 (it is a 1982 boat) we were sailing on Buzzards bay and my friend looked up and uttered ...."Should the ..." The rest of the sentence .... "mast bend like that" was lost as the mast came crashing down. No one was hurt but it took most of the next 6+ weeks to get the mast repaired. Upon inspecting the failed shrouds we saw that the threads on the turnbuckle had failed. This allowed the shroud to pull out and the entire force was carried by the other shroud for about 20 seconds. As I said earlier we were lucky that no one was hurt as the mast came down - so my advice is spend the $68 at D nad R Marine and sail safe. James
H
Herb Parsons
D
Dave
I would replace everything
Phil, I would also recommend you replace everything (uppers, lowers, forestay and backstay). Over time, these get stretched out even if they are not fraying. It is a lot easier to properly tune the rig if you have everything of the same vintage. Keep the nonfrayed originals onboard as replacements should something fail (assuming the rig doesn't come down). I bought the set from Rudy at D&R, and didn't have to worry about getting the measurements right. They fit perfectly right out of the box. Good luck. Dave s/v Hakuna Matata O'Day 222
Phil, I would also recommend you replace everything (uppers, lowers, forestay and backstay). Over time, these get stretched out even if they are not fraying. It is a lot easier to properly tune the rig if you have everything of the same vintage. Keep the nonfrayed originals onboard as replacements should something fail (assuming the rig doesn't come down). I bought the set from Rudy at D&R, and didn't have to worry about getting the measurements right. They fit perfectly right out of the box. Good luck. Dave s/v Hakuna Matata O'Day 222
Ditto on everything said...and you can do the work
If you are a do-it-yourselfer (DIY), then get a book called "The Rigger's Apprentice" by Brion Toss. If you have the time, the inclination, and have the means of getting your mast down (or are not terribly afraid of heights), then you are certainly capable of redoing your mast supports. But, they should ALL be replaced. And soon. If not yourself, I have had several very positive dealings with Rudy at D&R. He is a one-man shop, so you may have to try him a couple of times.
If you are a do-it-yourselfer (DIY), then get a book called "The Rigger's Apprentice" by Brion Toss. If you have the time, the inclination, and have the means of getting your mast down (or are not terribly afraid of heights), then you are certainly capable of redoing your mast supports. But, they should ALL be replaced. And soon. If not yourself, I have had several very positive dealings with Rudy at D&R. He is a one-man shop, so you may have to try him a couple of times.
Maintenance question - answered
Thanks to all for the sage advice. I will replace my standing rigging without further delay.
Thanks to all for the sage advice. I will replace my standing rigging without further delay.
W
Warren
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