Chafe protection for standing rigging

SouthPark

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I am having the standing rigging replaced on my '89 Moody 376. It's the original rigging so 16 years old and I plan to take it across Biscay next year so I want to feel confident that my mast is going to stay up.

Anyway, the original rigging has plastic tubes on the stays and boots on the bottle screws. The rigger tut-tutted at the plastic boots and seemed to think they were a very bad idea. I recall reading that they can encourage corrosion and that they hide damage - so I think I understand why he's not keen on them. I have just received his detailed quote and it doesn't include either tubing or boots. Is the tubing a bad idea too? It seems likely to considerably prolong the life of the sails - but is it bad for the rigging in some way?

I've tried searching the forums and Googling but didn't get anything useful.

Opinions?

Southy
 

Stemar

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I can see the rigger's point of view on the boots, but to my mind the worst thing about the tubes around the shrouds is that the shrouds are a major handhold when going forward, but the tubes turn easily on the wire, so are much harder to grab securely, which could be fatal if you lose your balance.

Yes, I know we should always be clipped on, but it only takes a bit of unexpected wash in an otherwise smooth sea...
 

TigaWave

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If you use one of the latest corrosion protection sprays or grease on turnbuckles and on the wire. The corrosion wont be a problem.
Search for ACF-50 or corrosion block grease. Its very different from the WD40 types of sprays. It does not trap moisture at the surface which other oils/greases can, it was developed for the aviation industry, jets in salt spray on aircraft carriers. There is a guy at Hurn airport distributing it, but I dont have the details to hand.
On the plastic on the rigging, we had some very tight plastic split in a spiral that I never felt was a hazard to grip, as your hand already slips around plain wire quite easily, especially when its wet.
The main chaff points we had were on the back of spreaders so we taped pipe insulation foam to the back edges, that worked well.
 

jerryat

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Hi Southpark,

I am a keen 'rigging protector' fan!! Actually, I use the split tubing over the wire to protect the sails/lines rather than the rigging, particularly as I have a 3/4 rigged boat with aft swept spreaders.

I carry the tubing the whole height of the caps and lowers, so that the mainsail, when running, lays against the tubing not the wire.

With regard to the boots, again I'm a fan! The plastic tube type 'boots' I use are a very loose fit (i.e. they are not those moulded plastic types) and cover the wire (caps only) from the chain plate, over the whole bottle-screw and approximately 2'0" up the shroud. They are held centrally at the top by a split circular insert that is a loose fit around the wire. Air can easily circulate around the wire and screw. The sole purpose on my boat, is to prevent the genoa sheets 'sawing' away on the b/screws and shrouds. The grooves worn in them show they're doing a damn good job too!! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Cheers Jerry
 

Swagman

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Suspect the riggers negative views come because any possible issue with the rigging would be covered - therefore unseen.

Having said that, IMHO covering the stays on a sweptback rig makes good sense if you plan long distance offwind sailing - along with padding etc on spreader tips. Wire does collect grime and it is transferred to a mainsail pressing against it.

Regards
JOHN
 

Das_Boot

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There is an issue regarding stainless steel beeing deprived of oxygen in the presence of water. I think this causes an electrolytic reaction which causes the stainless steel to corode. If your covers trap water against the stainless steel this could occure.
 
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