Rigging issue

[KaptainKirk]

I'm currently in the process of selling my boat. A rigging survey was done and they found that a lifeline has cause damaged to the standing rigging (image attached). They are telling me that I need to replace the whole standing rigging at a cost of $3500. I have no experience so am hoping a rigging expert here can tell me whether that's the right thing to do, or whether they are just looking for me to pay for a brand new rigging for the new buyer. It's a 2000 Hunter 310 and the rigging is original.

Thanks!

 

[jssailem]

Kirk,
If you had a car that you wanted to sell and one of the tires was tread bare and 16 years old, how would you sell the car?

After 16 years your boat rigging needs to be replaced, especially operated in a salt marine environment.

Replace it and you may be able to get the money back in the sale. Don't replace it and you will likely need to give the buyer a discount for the aged rigging.
Your options are rigging professional, do it yourself, or sell boat at discount for rigging replacement.
More bad news, from the picture it looks like the life lines are due as well. I just replaced my life lines, $700-$1300 boat bucks.

The expected life of standing rigging is 12 to 15 years in Northern latitudes. The life of standing rigging is shortened as the boat sails south.

 

[kloudie1]

I would have a qualified rigger look the rigging over .. That one wire certainly needs replacing from what I can see.. The lifeline should not be rubbing the shroud.. If a bent stanchion is causing that rub, it should be repaired/replaced before changing the shroud. If after careful inspection by a rigger, there is no evidence of parted wires or rust stains or cracks at the swedge fittings where the wire enters, then I would not replace the entire lot ..

 

[jssailem]

Regarding the wear from the life line, it is not an uncommon condition. As Kloudie shares it may be caused by a stantion. Or it may just be the angles of all the lines. I have two, on on each side of the boat. I use a plastic chafe guard on the life line and replace it as needed. Some folks use tape. Rerouting a line is a longer term solution than chafe guards.

 

[Joe]

That looks like a lower forward shroud... the damage from the lifeline not overuse or strain. What about the other shrouds and stays? I would change the damaged wire and offer the buyer a $1500 credit to use as he likes... you must remind him that he is not buying a new boat.. it is 16 years old and you are not representing it as anything other than what it is... a used boat. Oh.. and see if you can do something about re positioning that lifeline so it doesn't keep rubbing the wire.

 

[shemandr]

Remember the buyer wants the boat. Offer to replace the one bad wire. If that's not acceptable move on to another buyer. If he wants a new rig he can buy a new rig or a new boat. While it may be time for a new rig, if there isn't a observable problem with a specific wire or swage there is no need to assume that a failure is imminent. For example, I sail on an old Seafarer frequently. Several years ago a lower parted when we hit a wave. The owner replaced that wire. It has been at least three years without another failure. That includes two rough races one of which sent an Alerion 28 to the bottom. It may be good rigging practice to replace the whole rig but you don't have to bend over for it at sale time. Why not buy him a new engine and sails?

 

[agprice22]

Offer to replace what is worn: the single shroud. Or offer a deal to let the buyer do it.

 

[Calif. Ted]

So that's the ONLY thing a rigger found after going over the WHOLE rig ???? I'm with Joe, replace the shroud and re-route the lifeline.