Standing Riggin

[Bill]

I am in the process of acquiring a '84 H25.5. The standing rigging might need a little work, but I'm not sure. Of the 6 wires, 4 have bent t-bolts and 4 have some kind of small bend in the area where the wire bend is fastened to itself (swaged?).Doe sthis indicate that the standing rigging is weakened and should be replaced?If I decide to replace this rigging, about what should I expect to pay to replace all the rigging?Any comments would be appreciated.(I'm still excited - this is our first boat!)Thanks in advance,Bill

 

[IslandJack]

2 cents

I live in the shrimp capital of the world, so stainless steel cable work is cheap and the materials are handy. Plus my boat is a bit bigger (H27 tall rig), so I tend toward replacing any bent rigging. Its cheap and easy...plus those masts coming down have scared the heck out of me before!On the other hand, I sailed a Mac 25 for a couple of seasons with some kinks in the stays and turnbuckles.Generally I'd say if there aren't any broken wires, I wouldn't worry, but keep an eye out. If there was stress to the point of damage, the little wires will start popping and leave splinter ends. The solid matter bends in the t-bone area would concern me though. My experience is the stainless is very brittle and snaps when you least expect it. I broke a 1/4 toggle off in a turnbuckle this week tuning my 27... and the torque applied was not enormous. It as a recycled turnbuckle from a boat that dismasted in a chop. I suspect a bend occurred. Enjoy the boat!IJ

 

[Dave Weir]

Rigging

Bill,If you do not know the age of the rigging it is probably original. If so, it is due for replacement. Wire and terminals should cost about $400, professionally swaged. The turnbuckles can proabaly be re-used, but I would replace the bent toggles.Dave

 

[Tom Monroe]

looking at the same thing

I'm looking at 25.5's also ... I think it will be a great boat once I find the one I want to buy. I'm seeing the same thing on turnbuckle ends and swag fittings on these boats. I think that when the masts are going up and down as part of the selling process, the heavier weight of the swag/turnbuckle area can crimp and kink the wire where it exits the swag fitting ... particularly on these smaller boats with lighter wire. So look at the wire right next to the swag. The swag fitting itself is the most common failure point in standing rigging, and as IslandJack said, once bent at all it is suspect. Another way these fail is when water gets in there during the winter and the freeeze/thaw cycle stresses the metal. Sometimes you'll begin to see the tinniest little lines in the metal. Time to change. Lost a mast once. It's scary, dangerous, and expensive. I'm not real crazy about repeating the experience.I'm really looking forward to sailing a 25.5. If it's your first boat, I think it will be an exciting and great place to start for you.Tom MonroeCarlyle Lake

 

[Bill]

Same boat?

Hi Tom,Are we looking at the same boat? There aren't that many for sale around St. Louis....Bill

 

[Tom Monroe]

Could be ...

... why don't you email me on the side at:tom.monroe@swic.edu