More Rigging Questions.

[MasterofHera]

I am looking for quotes to re rig my Folkboat and have come up with an anomaly. 2 of the shrouds are in 6mm whilst all the rest of the standing rigging is in 5mm. Anyone have any idea why this is so? Quote for 6mm all round is £65 more . Should I go for 6mm and what advantages or otherwise could I expect?

 

[Evadne]

I would replace it exactly like for like, on the offchance that the person who specified it knew what they were doing, and the understanding that it hasn't caused any problems either. Increasing the weight aloft unnecessarily is to be avoided as well.
FWIW, my liz 29, probably slightly bigger rig than a folkboat but otherwise similar enough for comparisons, has 5mm all round (single outer shrouds, twin everything else.)

 

[vyv_cox]

It's not unusual for lower shrouds to be heavier than the others, reflecting levels of load. My lowers are 8 mm, all the rest are 7 mm, as specified.

 

[MasterofHera]

Thanks for your help, its the lower shrouds that are the problem. As the boat came as "a project" with all the rigging down and off the mast I have no means off determining which was which. Should I replace all 4 lowers in 6mm?

 

[savageseadog]

Is there a Folkboat association? I think most riggers will know the boat anyway and will be able to advise.

 

[MasterofHera]

Yes there is a Folkboat association and I am a member but my boat is as an International Folkboat (frowned upon by the purists) many were built in little known yards in eastern europe to basic same spec as the Scandinavians but with their own local ideas. "The Folkboat Story" by Dieter Loibner (the bible) is at my side but is of little use as it refers standard boats only.

 

[savageseadog]

I'm sure it won't be very different

 

[vyv_cox]

Sorry, can't advise about a Folkboat. As others suggest, there must be information available, from an owners' association or something similar.

 

[SvenglishTommy]

Aren't folkboats raced as a one-design? Surely the rigging specifications would be in the class rules.

 

[vyv_cox]

It doesn't take much effort to find out. 'Folkboat' in Google, first in the list gives the class rules. Page 26 says:
7. RIGGING
7.10 Standing rigging shall be of steel wire of not less than the following diameters:
main shrouds 7 mm min breaking load 2400 kg
forestay one of 7 mm min breaking load 2400 kg
jumper stays 5 mm
permanent backstay (preventer) 3 mm
Turnbuckles for shrouds & forestay min diameter 11mm
The dimensions of other rigging are optional.