I used to work in a rigging shop and while the incidence of rig failure
isn't that high, but it does happen. In the U.S. I have never heard of any
insurance company requiring new standing rigging at anytime, but that isn't
to say that some might. But after 10 years one should be concerned enough to
have a thorough inspection done. The problem is usually not with the wire
itself, but the swaged fittings. That is unless the there are visible signs
of distress to the wire - broken strands called meat hooks (running your
hand over the wire will tell you why they are so named). The biggest problem
is that water enters the fitting by running down the wire. This can often
lead to corrosion (yes stainless steel does corrode, especially in a tight
fitting or under water). The corrosion often causes an expansion and a crack
in the fitting. Freezing can also put pressure on the fitting as water
inside the fitting expands.
Probably every 10 years, maybe even 5 if the boat is raced or kept with the
rigging up in freezing weather, hire a good rigger to check out everything.
Well if you are careful you can do it yourself, but at least do more than
just a eye ball check. The way the fittings are inspected is often with a
good magnifying glass and sometimes a dye is used. This dye is special
penetrating dye that is put on the fitting and then wiped off. If there are
cracks the red dye will remain in the often hairline crack. Again use a
magnifying class, like a printers loop to check each fitting over very
carefully. On boats that are raced many of the guys do this yearly - but
these are pretty serious racers, not just club racers.
Also check all the mast fittings, especially the hounds where the spreaders
attach to the stick. Also carefully check all the tangs and other attachment
elements. (This is a good time to rebuild the mast winches too). My Vega is
a 1979 and the damage at the hounds was so great both to the fitting and the
mast itself I had to have a new mast built and that took many boat units
since I had all the standing and running rigging also replaced - and I
didn't have time to do it myself (riggers are expensive). I use the same
rigger that Chuck Rose mentioned in Port Townsend, Brion Toss (though I had
worked as operations manager for a different rigging company).
From:
AlbinVega@yahoogroups.com [mailto:
AlbinVega@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf
Of Larry Bissell
Sent: Friday, November 09, 2007 10:02 PM
To:
AlbinVega@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [AlbinVega] Re: When to change standing rigging
Hey Steve,
Thanks for the reply. I am not aware here in the US if insurance
requires that standing rigging be changed every 10 years, or at all
for that matter. I seem to recall that when Chuck Rose had his
rigging failure on the trip from Hawaii last summer, that none of
the original rigging failed, but the forestay, which was not
original failed. Somebody correct me if I am wrong here?? I am not
suggesting that one should neglect to change the rigging if one is
considering crossing the big pond. However, if the rigging seems to
be in good shape, and all the sailing being done is local, is it
really needed? Are there any other vega's out there with the
original standing rigging still standing? Have any vegas had
rigging failures of the original rigging (I know there have been
some failures of the forestay fitting on the stem, but what about
the wire fittings and wires themselves)? Just curious.
Larry Bissell
Kemanalea
SF Bay Area
albinvega1493@... mailto:albinvega1493%40yahoo.com