Replacing standing rigging

[PetiteFleur]

I've just renewed my rigging with the mast down and glad I did. Discovered the inner stainless stiffening plate for the babystay was missing! Fortunately, we removed the heel of the mast and there it was - obviously been off for ages! Now have to work out a way not to lose it again whilst I pop rivet it back....

 

[Yellow Ballad]

I've just renewed my rigging with the mast down and glad I did. Discovered the inner stainless stiffening plate for the babystay was missing! Fortunately, we removed the heel of the mast and there it was - obviously been off for ages! Now have to work out a way not to lose it again whilst I pop rivet it back....

Just one pop rivet? Line it up from the outside and drill another rivet hole above, drop a nail on a light line down the mast and pass the nail through the plate. Pull plate up tight so the holes line up and rivet the bottom hole, cut or feed the line and retrieve the nail then rivet the top hole.

 

[PetiteFleur]

Just one pop rivet? Line it up from the outside and drill another rivet hole above, drop a nail on a light line down the mast and pass the nail through the plate. Pull plate up tight so the holes line up and rivet the bottom hole, cut or feed the line and retrieve the nail then rivet the top hole.

No - 4 pop rivets! And mast is down so can't drop down nail on string. Made up a couple of wire and metal clips, like internal calipers, will use whipping twine so don't lose it again and modified a small G clamp so the plate can be clamped in position whilst rivetting. Doing it tomorrow so hopefully it'll work ok.
Update - fixed today, much easier than I anticipated, used whipping twine on each side(with extra safety twine) checked it fitted ok, had made a 'holder' like an internal caliper with a another piece of twine holding it in position tied to a nearby boat and a piece of plywood jammed in the 'caliper to hold in position. Used Duralac and it rivetted very easily and all done within 30 minutes. Used Holt Marine monel rivets BUT they don't come wth the little plastic bungs which are topped into the rivet to prevent corroshion of the steel stem. All previous Holt rivets have had them in the packet so filld them with Duralac.

 

[Yellow Ballad]

Ah great, didn't realise you could get to the back of it.

 

[Kukri]

I have to do this this year and I definitely will be getting the mast down, as I want to be happy with everything (wiring, sheaves, foot, etc) as well as the rigging.

 

[Mandarin331]

Our mast is coming out tomorrow, and so far as I can see it's the first time in 14 years since new, so will be making a very thorough check of everything. No question in this case of replacing the rigging without it coming out.

And boy, how filthy ropes get in just a year, two machine loads so far of black water.