when to replace the rigging cables

[nmenkes]

I own a Hunter 45 Passage 12 years old.
when is the time to replace the rigging SS cables?
I heard times from 12 years to 24 years.
I like to get the forum opinion on that.
Thanks
Nahum

 

[Don S/V ILLusion]

Nobody knows. But what is always true is that if you have to ask, it's time to get your rigging inspected. Including all fittings. It's never not the time.

 

[CloudDiver]

Don makes a good point... nobody knows because there are too many variables. Climate is usually the greatest variable to consider, followed by what maintenance is done, or not done, by the owner over several years.... I've seen 30 year old galvanized rigging that didn't have a hint of corrosion on it... I've seen 10 year old rigging that had broken wire strands and swage fittings split from rust forming inside...
Older boats were made with 304 stainless wire, newer boats now use 316 stainless and the strands are actually more tightly 'twisted' as it were, making it more difficult for moisture to settle between the strands. I can't give you a year range when boat makers switched from 304 to 316 wire, it varies. 304 is stronger, but 316 is more corrosion resistant.
Its really about the inspection... If you find rust stains or any broken strands those are the types of red flags that tell you its time for new wire. Most riggers, who have put the suggestion in writing, recommend new standing rigging every 10 years... some will argue that is just to sell more, but its def a good safety margin.
I'm all about synthetic rigging... At the end of the day I think its less expensive than wire although 5 to 7 years is the current accepted lifespan due to UV exposure.

 

[Joe]

12 years isn't that old for standing rigging... but for your own peace of mind, I'd pay a professional to inspect it. They will almost for sure recommend replacing the Cap Shrouds... those are the ones that go all the way to the top.... but the big expense is in replacing the fixtures. In many cases, rigging that is only 12 years old might need the wire replaced but the turnbuckles and toggles will still be safe.

 

[Terry Cox]

Hi Nahum, our 1991 P42 has the original standing rigging and it remains in good condition. Each season I inspect the deck level fittings, cables, chain plates, etc. Sailing in protected PNW waters seems to have helped keep the condition of the system in good order. If we were to go off shore to some distant land I would replace with new, but until then...

In 2004 I had a marine surveyor inspect our system while the mast was unstepped. He did point out then that the system appeared to be in good condition, but that some of the upper shroud fittings were proud of the stranded cable; not a critical factor but a point of some concern. A swivel type fitting would solve that problem, but that would require a system redesign, $$$$.

I always look for any cracks around the very robust deck chain plates, broken strands of wire, and water leaking through the chain plate down into where the standing rigging is glassed into the hull. That particular fixture can be weakened from corrosion due to water corrosion, resulting in rig failure. Ours remains dry and in good condition.

To sum up, it depends on your sail plans. Inspect your system from top to bottom for signs of fatigue. If things check out okay, sail on.

 

[Rich Stidger]

I had a rigger with 35+ years of experience inspect my rigging on my h40.5 at 17 years old. He performed a 300x inspection and told me that if I continue to sail the rig as I do and where I do, it should be absolutely fine for at least 10 more years. He added that he personally would have no hesitation sailing with my rig. I asked about magna flux examination and he told me if I wanted to spend the money he would have it done, but that his visual inspection was entirely adequate. I asked about the guideline of replacement every 10-12 years and he told me that replacement is indicated not by age but rather by the climate ( I am in the northeast) and how much demands I put on the rig- I am a cruiser, not a racer.

But by all means, get a professional opinion for your own peace of mind.

 

[kito]

So are there rigging inspectors that us inland sailors can have our rigging shipped to for an unbiased inpection? There is no one within 250 miles from me that I could take mine to. I just got a lowest quote of $990 for all new standing rigging and that only includes a swaged eye on one end and a swaged threaded stud on the other.....no new turnbuckles or jaw toggles. My rigging looks good to me with no meat hooks on the cable and only minor surface rust on my swaged fittings. I have no idea how old this rigging is. I would rather spend a couple hundred for an inspection than replace perfectly good rigging. I am not a Rockafella..

 

[RoyS]

Some boats, you will observe, have more robust rigging and spars than others. I suspect that the original design may affect longevity. Strength here is certainly desirable.

 

[jssailem]

Kito. I think you need to consider

1. how and where you plan to sail.
2. what types of stress you will put on the boat and rigging - racing?
3. How old is the rigging?
4. How old is the boat?
5. Will you trust your life and crew to the boat and rigging?

As you ask these questions you will make a decision, which path is right for you. No one can answer that we can only give opinions.

Knowing I bought a 40 plus year old boat, with rigging that looked some of this age. That when I sailed it I could hear creaks and moans from the rig. That the spreaders looked like unpainted wood, and I wanted to take my boat onto ocean waters, it was a simple decision to remove the mast and examine the rig. I found rotting spreaders. Corrosion on most fittings. A solid mast. Electrical systems on their last legs. So I invested in a restoration. I now have a mast and rigging good for another 15-20 years and a boat I can safely sail on the waters I want to enjoy.
The process is one we each get to enjoy because we are boat oeners.

 

[Gunni]

I had all my standing rigging replaced at 12 years. Through 2 previous owners and a cross-country haul I had little knowledge of what the boat had seen in terms of care and handling. In addition, I sail in all conditions and ask a lot of the boat, so the decision to simply have an expert rigger take the whole thing apart, replace everything and put it back together was an exercise in establishing a base-line. No rigger can "inspect" a standing rig that has seen 10+ seasons of who-knows-what and give you a guarantee it won't go over the side this year. So I manage that risk accordingly.

 

[Warren Milberg]

I think the question of when to replace your standing rigging is sort of like asking yourself " when should I reef?" Usually, when you ask these questions often enough, it's a bit too late. When you go for a sail on a day when the wind is up, you are heeling more than you'd like, and you look up at the rig and wonder: is this the day the mast will come down? It may cost more to get the rig replaced early, but it's certainly worth the peace of mind it will result in.

 

[RussC]

I don't have the years of experience that many here do, and I sail smaller, less expensive, boats to rig (easier replacement decision to make)..... BUT. If rigging is going to fail, it will most likely fail within a swage where moisture/salt has been trapped, causing corrosion. I don't know what training would be required to see inside of a swage fitting to allow a "professional" to judge it's condition any better than the typical savvy owner who knows the history of what conditions the rigging has seen. I have the proper equipment to fabricate and install my own rigging, at less expense, but if I questioned a higher dollar rig to replace I'd consider replacing the cap shrouds first and dissecting the old fitting to inspect. if they looked questionable, then replace the rest of the rig as well.

My .02 and likely worth every penny

 

[Warren Milberg]

This is worth a read:
http://www.boatus.com/seaworthy/rigging/

 

[nmenkes]

Thank you all for helping.
I already wait a check by an expert rigger.
In my language there is a saying "from all my tutors I am educated"
You were all a very good tutors.
thanks you all
Nahum

 

[kito]

Has anyone replaced all their standing rigging themselves using new 1x19 316 cable and all swageless fittings? As I stated earlier, I can have swaged rigging done for $990 but for $285 more I can buy the cable and all Sta-Lok fittings and do it myself. I kind of like the idea of having reusable fittings.

 

[whatfiero]

I dont trust the sta-lock over tride and true swage fittings they seem to not stay locked as they loose a strand or two on every one ive inspected

 

[isaksp00]

I used one swageless fitting on the top of my 23's forestay - a Hayn Hi-Mod eye, not Sta Lok (they look very similar though). I had to, as I could not have had the new forestay swaged after I inserted it through the furler foil (kind of tough to ship a 30 foot or so long foil). I was forced to install the "second of the two" ends on-site, which meant I had to do it myself, lacking a roll swaging tool. So far it has held; I have not tried to inspect or open it. If I had the choice, I'd have gone with professionally roll swaged fittings on both ends, not just on the lower end. Partly because these fittings are not cheap. It was kind of a PITA to install - doable, but takes some care. Not sure I'd want to do both ends of all the wires though - forestay, and the two side stays on each side equals 10 fittings in all.

 

[Gunni]

I kind of like the idea of having reusable fittings.

Practical-Sailor did a bunch of testing / reporting on swageless fittings this spring. The good, bad, and ugly. Subscriber only.

 

[jssailem]

Completed mast restoration this spring. Used 5/16 1x19 316 cables. Swaged the top ends and used Hayn Hi-Mod for the bottom of the shrouds. Thinking is that water flows down so away from the machine swaged fittings and if a problem occurs with the Hayn Hi-Mod fittings I can correct it. Now using the boat. Great decision.

 

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