There are many ways to lose a rig from a simple wire-rope failure to a
broken spreader to getting hit at the chain plates when racing to a failed
chain plate itself. Not that one has to worry if a little diligence is
adhered to and one pays attention to the details. It is usually the little
things that cause the biggest problems.
I recently replaced the entire mast and rig on the Vega (2923) I am
rebuilding and it cost more than what Steve said he paid by some bit - this
didn't include all the rigging. The mast was built in Victoria BC and was as
good as I could get (with LED lights and all the conduits etc). It was also
clear coated as I don't like paint on a mast. It is a very well-built stick.
I also add a Strong Track. Sure makes raising the main easy. (I had a new
main and 130 genny built also).
I removed the original mast as there were some significant cracks where the
spreaders attach. The cracks were in the mast itself and couldn't be welded
or otherwise fixed to my satisfaction, though we looked into it seriously.
The spreader fittings were shot and I didn't like the spreaders anyway. I
knew about all this when I got the boat, but not from the original survey as
few surveyors go aloft. I paid for an additional rigging surveyor with one
of the best I know. But I still bought the boat.
When we did the rigging I used a swaged fitting at the top and a removable
(like a Sta-Lock) on the bottom so we could get them just right after the
crane set it on the new deck shoe. I always use a crane on any boat over
about 25 feet as I've seen what happens to a mast when one is dropped! Oh
and we also did some significant deck and reinforced the glass under the
stem fitting as it was failing, ever so slightly. I also added some
additional bracing inside to support the mast compression (I sure wish there
was a compression post, but there just isn't room).
I used to work for a rigging company so I don't skimp on the rigging at all.
I've seen too many damaged sticks and rigs. With the boats we used to race
offshore we went over the rig with dye and even x-rayed suspect fittings at
the beginning of every season. Of course these were bigger boats and it
wasn't out of my pocket, so I was glad we did this.
The other thing I don't skimp on are the thru-hulls, which I also replaced.
But that is another story.
I know I have more in the rig and sails than the boat is worth - you don't
have to tell me. But it doesn't surprise me as I've done several boats in
the past.
_____
From:
AlbinVega@yahoogroups.com [mailto:
AlbinVega@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf
Of Trevor Leech [CLCYR]
Sent: Thursday, February 09, 2006 12:53 PM
To:
AlbinVega@yahoogroups.com
Subject: re: [AlbinVega] Mast Price & Measurements?
Andy, I have been looking for an Albin all winter. Did you purchase yours
recently from a Boat Salvage auction place? I saw one on a website not
long ago that had had a slight 'run in' with a hurricane. It looked like
a nice boat.
