cutting away standing rigging after dismasting

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nimrod1230

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At the moment I only have a hacksaw and blades and would like to buy something more suitable.
Shrouds are 12mm Dyform which seems above Felco type cutters maximum and points to very expensive hydraulic or percussion cutters.
Am toying with the idea of a cordless grinder with fine cutting discs. Anyone any experience with these regarding the cutting time from the battery pack?
I realise this would probably involve lots of potential water but if it could withstand the conditions do you think one battery would clear the rigging?
Any alternatives? I don't really want to spend upwards of £1k for something which will probably never be used though must work if needed.
 
If I remember correctly the YM Crash Test Boat feature found a hacksaw with decent blades to be as good as anything. Considering the very low likelihood of ever needing it, an expensive purchase is difficult to justify. I carry a good selection of blades with a good hacksaw frame and also a large pair of boltcutters bought cheaply (around £30 a few years ago) on the market. I have tried them a few times and they cope with wire the size of my rigging with no problems.
 
vyv_cox said:
a good hacksaw frame and also a large pair of boltcutters bought cheaply (around £30 a few years ago) on the market. I have tried them a few times and they cope with wire the size of my rigging with no problems.
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+1. Normal bolt cutters with leverage - force enough to cut a wire, shackle, anchor chain etc - was on list of tools advised for offshore equipment. You never know. http://cfnewsads.thomasnet.com/images/large/464/464060.jpg

But the thing to have handy, anyway, is an axe - can solve many problems... :)
 
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Had this exact discussion with MCA surveyor who suggested a 240v angle grinder and a cheap 2-stroke generator. - I was just over £150 for the pair.
 
sailorman said:
How does that work then Ted, on a dark & windy night, the bloke isnt for real, 240v pissing with rain & spray
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Completely agree....

I've got a huge boltcropper... 1m handles.... cuts 10mm like butter!

Can't even begin to imagine trying to start a genny, plug in a 240v cutter and take it on a heaving deck, rolling like heck with the rig down, while the mast tries to punch through the hull!!!!
 
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I do tend to agree, but it was a case of "you won't get any bolt cutters that'll go through those, and I need to sign-off to say that you have something that can go through them".
 
I have several pairs of bolt croppers having been in the building trade
I decided. To buy a brand new pair with sharp blades for my boat--£25-00 plus vat
The tool shop where i bought them said they would not cut wire rigging & one needed expensive cutters with shaped blades
To prove it they produced some wire
Guess what -- the cutters cut it with ease because the blades were sharp & the tool was not distorted from constant use
They will certainly cut all my rigging ok
 
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