My Westerly Renown ketch was built in 1976 and has never had any standing rigging replaced. The boat has never been raced and has only been used in light to moderate winds (in consideration of the First Mate). Is there any need to replace any part of the rigging at this point ?
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Inspection
Hello Alan - Certainly a close inspection is in order, at the very minimim. If you plan on an extended cruise, it might be safer to just replace, but I wouldn't fret about getting it done right away if things look ok. Best, Trevor
Hello Alan - Certainly a close inspection is in order, at the very minimim. If you plan on an extended cruise, it might be safer to just replace, but I wouldn't fret about getting it done right away if things look ok. Best, Trevor
Huh?
In salt water from 1976. That's almost 30 years! Average anticipated life span for ss rigging is 8-10 years, and most people extend it to 15. I think you're really pushing your luck (and safety). If you figure the cost of a new mast (for when your rigging does fail), it's sure cheap insurance to get it replaced before this season starts. Stu
In salt water from 1976. That's almost 30 years! Average anticipated life span for ss rigging is 8-10 years, and most people extend it to 15. I think you're really pushing your luck (and safety). If you figure the cost of a new mast (for when your rigging does fail), it's sure cheap insurance to get it replaced before this season starts. Stu
Replace it now
Hello, The good news is that the boat has been lightly-sailed in a mild, low-salt climate. The bad news is that other factors (state of tune, original quality, scantlings, accidents) can be at least as rig-degrading as use. In addition, the load cycles the rig experiences jsut stitting at the dock have, over all these years, contributed to fatigue. You don't wait until your engine seizes up to change the oil. You don't wait until your boat is filling with water to inspect the through hulls. And you don't wait until you're knocked down to reef. So why wait until your wires are actively breaking before you replace them? Fair leads, Brion Toss
Hello, The good news is that the boat has been lightly-sailed in a mild, low-salt climate. The bad news is that other factors (state of tune, original quality, scantlings, accidents) can be at least as rig-degrading as use. In addition, the load cycles the rig experiences jsut stitting at the dock have, over all these years, contributed to fatigue. You don't wait until your engine seizes up to change the oil. You don't wait until your boat is filling with water to inspect the through hulls. And you don't wait until you're knocked down to reef. So why wait until your wires are actively breaking before you replace them? Fair leads, Brion Toss
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