When do you know your stays are bad, mine are not frayed but are nearly out of adjustment, can I cut and re attach or should i replace them all
Stainless cable
- Thread starter sailnewbie
- Start date
jssailem
SBO Weather and Forecasting Forum Jim & John
- Oct 22, 2014
- 23,140
While stays may need replacement they may not be the reason you have no adjustment.
Stay cables are not a forever item, but their stretch is minimal. Typical useful life is in the 10-15 year time frame for boats in northern latitudes used ocasionally. That time frame can be shortened to 6-8 if you sail the boat hard/race as an example. Look for evidence of rust near the terminals, signs of abrasion (pull a cotton ball along the stay - if the cotton sticks to the stay you have abrasion that can weaken the stay).
If you find no rust or wires of the stay weak/cracked then you need to examine the deck where you step the mast, and chainplates or padeyes where you secure the stays to the deck. They may be soft. Pulling up or the mast step collapsing due to moisture on the deck.
Take pictures share your observations. There are sailors here who can give you help and encouragement to solve your challenge and get you back on the water.
Stay cables are not a forever item, but their stretch is minimal. Typical useful life is in the 10-15 year time frame for boats in northern latitudes used ocasionally. That time frame can be shortened to 6-8 if you sail the boat hard/race as an example. Look for evidence of rust near the terminals, signs of abrasion (pull a cotton ball along the stay - if the cotton sticks to the stay you have abrasion that can weaken the stay).
If you find no rust or wires of the stay weak/cracked then you need to examine the deck where you step the mast, and chainplates or padeyes where you secure the stays to the deck. They may be soft. Pulling up or the mast step collapsing due to moisture on the deck.
Take pictures share your observations. There are sailors here who can give you help and encouragement to solve your challenge and get you back on the water.
On my Mac 22, I also had some slack in the shrouds. And to get them taught, I had to close the turn buckles all the way. Even then, I did not have a lot of tension on the shrouds. The back stay is actually supposed to be a little slack. The only stay that had appreciable tension on it was the forestay.
SA,
Do it right, do it once.
With rigging, I don't believe in shortcuts. All materials have a life span.
It sounds like you have reached this point.
The only thing that I would suggest, is to have any new rigging made from 316 stainless.
I'm betting yours is only 304 stainless but, 316 is stronger & has less carbon steel thus, rust .
CR
Do it right, do it once.
With rigging, I don't believe in shortcuts. All materials have a life span.
It sounds like you have reached this point.
The only thing that I would suggest, is to have any new rigging made from 316 stainless.
I'm betting yours is only 304 stainless but, 316 is stronger & has less carbon steel thus, rust .
CR
jssailem
SBO Weather and Forecasting Forum Jim & John
- Oct 22, 2014
- 23,140
Captain Ron. There you go again saying all the right things...
SA, I bought a Cal35C boat vintage 1974. Looked up at the spreaders and guessed unpainted wood. Decided to remove mast and replace all standing rigging. When down grabbed the spreader and is was rotten. Collapsed like a kitchen sponge when squeezed. Examined the swagged stays and they showed minimal rust. Fittings looked like 1974 to 1985 vintage. (have them for sale if someone is interested) So re-rigging was a great idea, if for the safety factor of not having the telephone pole of a mast come down on my head. As CaptRon suggested 316 stainless alloy 1x19 wire is standard for stays. You get the size that matches your current stays. Have the fittings swagged at the rigging store and your back in business. Check out the store on this forum's website. You will find fittings, wire, and all sorts of accessories.
SA, I bought a Cal35C boat vintage 1974. Looked up at the spreaders and guessed unpainted wood. Decided to remove mast and replace all standing rigging. When down grabbed the spreader and is was rotten. Collapsed like a kitchen sponge when squeezed. Examined the swagged stays and they showed minimal rust. Fittings looked like 1974 to 1985 vintage. (have them for sale if someone is interested) So re-rigging was a great idea, if for the safety factor of not having the telephone pole of a mast come down on my head. As CaptRon suggested 316 stainless alloy 1x19 wire is standard for stays. You get the size that matches your current stays. Have the fittings swagged at the rigging store and your back in business. Check out the store on this forum's website. You will find fittings, wire, and all sorts of accessories.
JS,
Thanks for the shout out pal.
Speaking of spreaders, I took my rotted wood spreaders to JSI here in St. Pete.
They made me a beautiful matching pair of aluminum airplane-shaped spreaders.
The cost was right. This some 15 years ago.
I also had problems with my failed wooden bowsprit. Contacted Catalina here in St. Pete & picked up a fiberglas one they made for newer year boats. My 1980 bow was shaped alittle different but this was a simple modification. Wanting parts for older models, call my pal Lenny. He runs the ships store now (727.544.6681).
The best part was going with Nitronic 20 for the bobstay & mechanical fasteners, .
43, 000 lbs. tensile breaking strength! with my 316 updated rigging, my boat will fold in-half before the bowsprit and/or the bobstay will fail. This of course will depend on your attachment point buildup strength.
Thanks pal,
CR
Thanks for the shout out pal.
Speaking of spreaders, I took my rotted wood spreaders to JSI here in St. Pete.
They made me a beautiful matching pair of aluminum airplane-shaped spreaders.
The cost was right. This some 15 years ago.
I also had problems with my failed wooden bowsprit. Contacted Catalina here in St. Pete & picked up a fiberglas one they made for newer year boats. My 1980 bow was shaped alittle different but this was a simple modification. Wanting parts for older models, call my pal Lenny. He runs the ships store now (727.544.6681).
The best part was going with Nitronic 20 for the bobstay & mechanical fasteners, .
43, 000 lbs. tensile breaking strength! with my 316 updated rigging, my boat will fold in-half before the bowsprit and/or the bobstay will fail. This of course will depend on your attachment point buildup strength.
Thanks pal,
CR