Hi Judy
While certainly I am not an expert on dyneema rigging, I did study the issues when I was looking at replacing the rigging on my boat a few years ago. The following are some of the major elements.
While certainly I am not an expert on dyneema rigging, I did study the issues when I was looking at replacing the rigging on my boat a few years ago. The following are some of the major elements.
- In comparing Dyneema vs SS insurance requirements for ocean going vessels, Dynemma rigging required inspection annually, professional survey at 3 years and replacement at 6 years. The engineering reports were that being stronger and lighter was a big advantage. Going up in size (as you suggest) was a way to build in safety margin with little additional weight and marginal added cost. One of the underlying concerns were the hidden breakdown of inner fibers from the stress of sailing use and UV exposure.
- By comparison the SS stays were lower cost, greater weight. They have a proven record with more obvious failure points so self inspection annually and professional survey after 8 years, ocean passage, or rust/wire strand break were recommended.