Replacing all standing rigging in Greece or Turkey

mocruising

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I need to replace all my standing rigging during the winter of 2008-9 prior to our planned circumnavigation 2009-10. I also want to take the mast down and re-run some of the electrics. Most of the wire is SS 10 or 12 mm. Where I winter next year will depend on locating a good rigging service. Can anyone recommend a good rigging service either in Greece or preferably Turkey.
 
I can strongly recommend Marmaris in Turkey. This is the sailing center of the eastern Med and there are several very good rigging and sail services there. You need to get there and select one for yourself among the many. The quality of work is the best I have seen anywhere in the world and the prices are very reasonable. One reason for this is that there are many very good companies in Marmaris providing this service so competition is fierce. The market economy at work, at its best.
 
having arrived in turkey from greece I can only agree with Lady Jessie -- work is much better done here and costs less
 
having arrived in turkey from greece I can only agree with Lady Jessie -- work is much better done here and costs less

Sadly, low prices in Marmaris are no more. I have just been quited by M2 and Silver and they both want around £1200 MORE (i.e. about 40% more) than top quality UK riggers. (This for supply only - not fitting.)
 
Good evening:

As mentioned above there are a number of rigging company in Marmaris and I suggest you search them out and obtain other quotes before agreeing to anything.

It has been my experience that how you approach them has a lot to do with the price they will quote. If you give them the impression that you just got off the ferry and haven't a clue about Turkey and the local economy they will give you a higher quote. It is surprising how many foreigners will try to relate the price they are quoted to the price they expect at home and even mention this to the one giving the quote which only ensures that the next person asking for a quote will get an even higher one. Any company dealing with foreigners soon learns that they have no idea of what they should be paying and as expected they are seen as being ripe for a rip off.

I also suggest you figure out approximately how much wire of various size is involved and then ask the price for this wire at various chandlers as if you are going to do the work yourself. You than have a figure to compare with the cost of the material involved which will give you a pretty good idea of how big of rip off is being attempted.

Cheers

Squeaky
 
The op's are basically right. In terms of increased cost you should remember where most of this equipment is manufactured and the high cost of transport and no doubt some import duty.

The non Turk needs to learn to say "it's too expensive" and ask for discount instead of just walking away and complaining. This is not europe.

That said I thoroughly recommend UK Sails in Marmaris, who now have the 5th largest sail loft in Europe, and really know their stuff. Give them a visit and be impressed. Alternatively M2 are good also but experience has shown they are more expensive and less experienced.

On our HR we use Sta-Loks and the last replacement of the standing rigging cost around £300 for wire as we didn't need any swages. We are told the Sta-Loks can be reused 3 times, although you would replace the conical part each time.
 
We used UK sails in Cesme from Izmir in December. Very pleased with the service. Good quote very detailed after I asked about the materials being used. Arrived within couple of days on time. Travel lift here cannot drop masts so had crane for both lowering and putting mast up a week later. Two men for crane one being hoisted on crane hook to position strops and lash them in place. 3 men from UK sails to do the rest of the work one being a very knowledgeable rigger. Being Turkey they also sold me new roller reefing (My rotostay was 18 years old and giving trouble so they were right). Admiral Turkish reefing looks absolutely brilliant but yet to be tested fully.
 
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