We have a 1999 Macgregor X and need to replace one sidestay cable. West Marine says their cable is not supposed to be looped with thimble - what kind do I ask for? Thanks!
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Side Stay
I'm not sure West Marine is the best source of information regarding rigging. I think this is one case where working with a specialist is money well spent. I assume you consulted your manual or McGregor Marine http://www.macgregor26.com/index.html regarding the correct stay specifications. I'd consult a local rigger or a company like Dwyer Mast http://www.dwyermast.com. I've also had good luck with Seco South 727-536-1924 http://www.secosouth.com/ in Largo FL. I sent them the stay and they replicated it. Both companies have been very responsive to telephone calls and e-mail. Also, if one stay is bad you might consider replacing them in pairs.
I'm not sure West Marine is the best source of information regarding rigging. I think this is one case where working with a specialist is money well spent. I assume you consulted your manual or McGregor Marine http://www.macgregor26.com/index.html regarding the correct stay specifications. I'd consult a local rigger or a company like Dwyer Mast http://www.dwyermast.com. I've also had good luck with Seco South 727-536-1924 http://www.secosouth.com/ in Largo FL. I sent them the stay and they replicated it. Both companies have been very responsive to telephone calls and e-mail. Also, if one stay is bad you might consider replacing them in pairs.
The oem Mac rigging
is made with nicopress fittings, which are the weakest and generally frowned on. When I replaced my standing rigging, I used stalock swageless which are expensive but reusable, and you can make your stays yourself, swaged fittings are better than nicopress but cheaper than swageless, but they have to be professionally assembled. A good book to read is The Rigger's Apprentice by Brion Toss, covers all this and more. Tim
is made with nicopress fittings, which are the weakest and generally frowned on. When I replaced my standing rigging, I used stalock swageless which are expensive but reusable, and you can make your stays yourself, swaged fittings are better than nicopress but cheaper than swageless, but they have to be professionally assembled. A good book to read is The Rigger's Apprentice by Brion Toss, covers all this and more. Tim
1x19 wire is the standard rigging wire but
it's not intended for bending around thimbles. 7x19 is much more flexible and is normally used for running rigging. It's the most flexible but not normally used for standing rigging. I don't know about your boat, but if you regularly trailer, and frequently coil your rigging, that may account for the use of the more flexible type by Macgregor. the 1x19 is much stiffer and would make a much larger coil. Most riggers would shy away from the 7x19 for rigging. BTW side rigging is commonly called shrouds (uppers, lowers, intermediates, etc); and front and back rigging is normally called stays (head, fore, back, intermediate, baby, etc). Good luck Joe
it's not intended for bending around thimbles. 7x19 is much more flexible and is normally used for running rigging. It's the most flexible but not normally used for standing rigging. I don't know about your boat, but if you regularly trailer, and frequently coil your rigging, that may account for the use of the more flexible type by Macgregor. the 1x19 is much stiffer and would make a much larger coil. Most riggers would shy away from the 7x19 for rigging. BTW side rigging is commonly called shrouds (uppers, lowers, intermediates, etc); and front and back rigging is normally called stays (head, fore, back, intermediate, baby, etc). Good luck Joe
Mac does
use 1x19 around a thimble, probably 1/8", it's not a good design because the wire is easily kinked when raising the mast. If you do use the nicopress fittings, tape them to the chainplates and tangs, (upper and lower brackets) before erecting the mast to help prevent kinks in the future, do coil the rigging in as large a loop as possible when storing, check for cracked strands near the fittings, also check the spreader end caps, they are a known weak point. Tim
use 1x19 around a thimble, probably 1/8", it's not a good design because the wire is easily kinked when raising the mast. If you do use the nicopress fittings, tape them to the chainplates and tangs, (upper and lower brackets) before erecting the mast to help prevent kinks in the future, do coil the rigging in as large a loop as possible when storing, check for cracked strands near the fittings, also check the spreader end caps, they are a known weak point. Tim
Have you considered ....
calling MacGregor? You never know, they may know more than WM or anyone else's guess. Just a thought. Tony B
calling MacGregor? You never know, they may know more than WM or anyone else's guess. Just a thought. Tony B
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