Kinky stays - is it a problem?

[MissFitz]

The standing rigging on my Sonata hasn’t been replaced in a fair while but generally seems to be in decent order. However, I’ve noticed that there are slight kinks in the forestay (near the top) & the backstay (near the midpoint). Is this a bad sign? Should I be looking to replace them?

Also, more generally, should I be looking to replace all the standing rigging given that it hasn’t been done for at least 6-7 years? Have had very divergent opinions on this from sailing friends so any thoughts would be much appreciated.

 

[merlin3688]

If the rigging is only 6 or 7 years old then that should be ok however the wires that are kinked clearly need to be checked by a rigger, whilst doing this they can check the rest of the rigging. The Sonata has 4mm rigging so not a large cost to replace!

 

[MoodySabre]

I would regard kinks as being serious. Get a rigger to inspect the rigging generally and advise. 6-7 years doesn't seem long so understanding what is causing this issue, as well as putting it right, is important.

 

[coveman]

I'm not familiar with the Sonata but the kink at the top of the forestay could be the result of a problem with the roller reefing/furler if you have one. If there is not enough angle to keep the halyard away from the forestay the halyard will wrap around the forestay causing it to kink, if excessive pressure is used to try and furl the sail.
As Craig says the cost is not excessive for a small diameter wire, so worth doing.

 

[alant]

The standing rigging on my Sonata hasn’t been replaced in a fair while but generally seems to be in decent order. However, I’ve noticed that there are slight kinks in the forestay (near the top) & the backstay (near the midpoint). Is this a bad sign? Should I be looking to replace them?

Also, more generally, should I be looking to replace all the standing rigging given that it hasn’t been done for at least 6-7 years? Have had very divergent opinions on this from sailing friends so any thoughts would be much appreciated.

Bugger, thought this was something saucy.

 

[MissFitz]

Bugger, thought this was something saucy.

Clickbait

 

[William_H]

Rigging on your boat should be OK for up to 15 years but is certainly not safe after that. This regardless of amount of use racing etc even removed from the boat. It is not practical to inspect in any meaningful way. So just replace.
However on my little boat I have had while racing the forestay come adrift (clevis pin fell out) This due to load being taken by the halyard and jib luff (hank on jib) so freeing the forestay. No great drama as I had a high field lever in the forestay so just released the lever used a screwdriver as a replacement for the pin and carried on.
I have also had back stay fail while going hard under spin. The cap shrouds and intermediates on chain plate aft of abeam the mast stopped the mast from falling. (fractional rig) I managed to use some rope to back up back stay and carry on.
So depending on your rig both back stay and forestay are the least critical of all rigging. Compared to cap shrouds and intermediates (and spreaders any failure of which is instant mast destruction.
good luck olewill