Hey thank you for your effort, I am waiting for two replies back from the tec department of two of the synthetic line manufacturers regarding which of their products are suitable for standing rigging because their advertising is not clear. I'll post my findings & progress on this forum because it seems others are interested in learning more about this modification.
Synthetic standing rigging for a mac 25
- Thread starter whudatt
- Start date
I’m not sure if this is your post on another forum, but the exact same question is being asked on the cruisers forum:
Synthetic standing rigging on a small boat - Cruisers & Sailing Forums
Im in the brainstorming phase of replacing the standing rigging on my Macgregor 25 trailer sailer (older iron swing keel , not water ballast power sailer). One thing I noticed on the brief shakedown
www.cruisersforum.com
Good morning, no this wasn't my post but thank you for posting this because it has some product information that could be useful in my search for proper material for synthetic standing rigging.
So you have experience with SS rigging. You even have the tools. I faced the same decision with my Mac 26D. Even bought 3mm dynema. Looked up techniques ( all for much much bigger yachts) and would have had to adapt a fair bit. Ultimately I came to my senses and gave up on the idea. There’s no real weight savings that a cruise like me would realize. I don’t race anymore so there’s no competition to scare with a new supposed go fast. Bought nice SS cable, thumbs and nickel coated copper swages and used my hydrologic crimper. Never regretted the decision.
BTW. Buy turnbuckles and replace the verniers. You won’t regret that either. If your sailing fresh water don’t bother with 318 stainless anything. 304 is very acceptable ( don’t buy the up sell that 318 has to be used, we sailors are the food on the table of the chandler). 304 parts from any source will work fine. The honesty don’t make these kinds is parts just for sailboats. FYI I was a certified rigging safety instructor. If you’re a salty and plan to sail around the world (in your veteran craft ) or money is no object use 318.
I am thinking the same as you, except...
The OP mentioned the difficulty in dealing with cable vs. what he thinks may be an easier with synthetic rope (less tangling, I seem to remember). Would it really make the process of stepping the mast that much less difficult, I wonder.