standing rigging/when to replace

[Ken]

Brion, we sail a 1994 catalina 270 which was fresh water based for nine years and is now wet slipped on salt water for the last two years. We sail in light to moderate conditions 2 to 3 times a month. When do you recommend replacing standing and running rigging?

 

[Brion Toss]

It depends

Hello,Contrary to popular belief, no one lit a fuse on your standing rigging when it was installed; its life is dependent on several variables, and I can see you are aware of at least some of them, specifically salinity and amount of use. To those I would add original quality of both wire and terminals; relative load, with shorter life from lighter rigging; quality of tune, with shorter life from too tight or too loose; climate, with hot places worse than cool; and the relative stiffness of the boat.So you could have another five or more years of safe life remaining in that gang, or you could be about to suffer a dismasting. Really.I would go down to Radio Shack and get one of their $10 microscopes. Best deal on the planet. Get familiar with it, look at some new rigging as a reference, then check out yours. Consider looking at my inspection video and/or the 'Rigger's Apprentice' for some training. At best, I'd recommend replacing the gang in fewer than five years. But it depends.Fair leads,Brion Toss

 

[Ken]

Thanks Brion!!

Brion,thanks, I really appreciate the answer. I will examine the rigging but now will most likely replace the gang over the next 12 months.