should I replace a kinked shroud?

[Bill Leathen]

My crew is back in shool, and I can't believe I am planing winter lay up projects. This spring when we stepped the mast on our H23, we put a kink in the starboard outer shroud. We noticed the kink with the mast 1/2 way up. We lowered the mast, took the kink out, raised the mast and tuned the rig. With the rig tight, you can not see the kink. There are no broken strands in the shroud. You can run your hand over the whole shroud without fear of getting any little jags. But when we released the shroud to install some new shroud covers, the kink is still there when the rig is slack. My question is - should we replace that shroud? If we replace it, should we also replace the port side upper shroud, or should we replace all 4 shrouds, both the upper and lower? Your advise will be appreciated.Thanks,Bill Leathen

 

[Frank Ladd]

Heck yeah

I'd just replace the shroud that is kinked. It will likely fail long before the other shrouds as the kink will be a weak spot.

 

[Mark]

No!

With respect Frank on a yacht this size I wouldn't worry about it.If you were about to head off around the world " I might".But just keep an eye on it for it would be very very very unlikely that the shroud would just snap. You may find that after a while you may get a few meat hooks and that is the time to replace it.Often hear of people replacing all of their standing rigging every 10 years or so but if it is looked after and checked "everytime" you sail and there are not meat hooks or bad rust then leave it I reckon.