Prepping for standing rigging replacement

[Morter]

Hi all,

We're having our standing rigging replaced professionally and wanted to know what level of preparation is normally expected. Do we need to remove all the running rigging? Take the boom off?

I would ask the riggers but they're closed today and this is our last visit to the boat before it's hauled out, any advice would be greatly appreciated!

Cheers,

Chris

 

[Sandy]

Hello and Welcome.

When I had my standing rigging replaced I removed all the wiring from the bottom of the mast and the sails. Running rigging was left in place. Everything else I left to them.

 

[jaminb]

Same as Sandy but I took my boom off. They said I need not have bothered and fitted it when stepping.

 

[Pye_End]

mast up or mast down?

 

[RunAgroundHard]

Assuming you are leaving your mast up as the boom is on, I only removed the furling headsail, left the main sail and boom on. Rigger changed out all standing rigging with mast up, in my case.

I would recommend you leave the stuff in place.

 

[Skylark]

I last had standing rigging professionally replaced in about 2013. My rigger made all of the arrangements (mast was up but he had it removed).

The only exception was electrics. If he couldn't simply unscrew a through deck fitting, he expected me to sort it beforehand.

 

[Morter]

Thanks for the comments all. It's mast down re-rigging. We've removed sails and electrical cables, we've left the boom on for now and will speak with them on Monday to see if they want us to do anything further. I'm sure they can sort the boom and rigging if needed (and bill me according!)

 

[peter gibbs]

Hi all,

We're having our standing rigging replaced professionally and wanted to know what level of preparation is normally expected. Do we need to remove all the running rigging? Take the boom off?

I would ask the riggers but they're closed today and this is our last visit to the boat before it's hauled out, any advice would be greatly appreciated!

Cheers,

Chris

Leave all standing rigging in place but mark present turnbuckle positions ( unless changing them for new ) Everything else, radio connections cables rtc to be released and sealed in plastic so no rain enters. All running rigging hanked down and lashed to the mast or furling gear. Boom disconnected and secured clear of mast base.

The rigger could do all this but it pays to simplify the lift. Have two tressles alongside to lay the mast on. Bag up radome in situ to secure from rain, plus top gear to prevent damage on the ground.
Needless to say, with mast down this is thd time to overhaul all sheaves, cabling, bulbs on mast fixtures etc. Take time to check out related deck fittings, furling gear, and chain plates to secure against corrosion or leakage.

A busy time for you but essential stuff.

 

[Sandy]

Leave all standing rigging in place but mark present turnbuckle positions

Why? The ruggers usually 'tune' the new rigging.

 

[Daydream believer]

Why? The ruggers usually 'tune' the new rigging.

They all ask owner to do this if they do not get the chance to do themselves Presumably it gives them the working length when tensioned. It is an indication if the wires have stretched & need to be a little shorter. This becomes obvious if the rigging screws are seen to have been tightened right up & used up all the threads. Who is to say it was right before?

 

[Morter]

Thanks for the advice everyone, we've spoken to the riggers who confirmed we need to remove sails, electrics and boom, which we've now done. We'll look to check over the masthead fittings as well, and likely run new standing rigging through whilst it's down.

 

[wonkywinch]

An ideal opportunity to run new cables up the mast, especially the VHF/AIS coax if your antenna is up there.

 

[Metalicmike]

I wouldn't want to remove my mast unless I was forced to, mine is mounted on the keel so all the wiring runs along the bilge and lockers direct to the instruments and switch panel. Even if the mast was deck mounted I would still prefer to pay someone to go up the mast rather than hire a crane adding more complication and risk to the job.

 

[Lucy52]

If the boat is out on the hard, the rigging needs to be tuned after launch, as the hull may change shape when immersed .

 

[Daydream believer]

I would still prefer to pay someone to go up the mast rather than hire a crane adding more complication and risk to the job.

Notwithstanding the risk to the person up the mast , of course

 

[Stemar]

Unless the standing rigging is seriously defective, the risk is minimal. I wouldn't do it, but a rigger goes up masts so often that it's second nature, and he will use suitable safety precautions. If he doesn't, he's probably not the rigger you want to work on your boat anyway

 

[Sandy]

If the boat is out on the hard, the rigging needs to be tuned after launch, as the hull may change shape when immersed .

I'd never have the rigging changed on the hard.

 

[capnsensible]

Notwithstanding the risk to the person up the mast , of course

I got my friendly rigger guy in Gib to change standing rigging on 3 yachts. Guess who the muppet was who went up the mast.....

We did it one wire at a time. Lot easier than it sounds. Rigged halyards to cleats for comfort zone for the aerial acrobat. Take down one, measure, crimp fittings, replace. I helped with all of this. Learnt loads about different mast fittings and really helped to understand how the whole rig works. Re tensioned everything alongside then short sea trial for final tweaks.

I still don't like heights though.