rigging cutters

[GHA]

I am doubtful whether a hacksaw would work. In the process of collecting a recently acquired Flying Fifteen, I had to cut through a redundant s/s wire safety strap on the trailer. which was thinner than rigging wire. It took ages, far more difficult than cutting through a shackle or padlock.

Lump of 2" x 2" with slots in it makes all the difference a bit like this..

 

[Robert Wilson]

Or cut similar slots in the toe-rail. Messy, expensive and disappointing, but "handsome is as handsome does' might save the day.

 

[Phildorset]

Great replies, thanks for the recommendations - I've stumped up the dosh for a pair of the Felco c16... not cheap, but I can keep the salt off them (and avoid using them!) then they should see me out!

 

[sailor211]

I am doubtful whether a hacksaw would work. In the process of collecting a recently acquired Flying Fifteen, I had to cut through a redundant s/s wire safety strap on the trailer. which was thinner than rigging wire. It took ages, far more difficult than cutting through a shackle or padlock.

The blades with abrasive on rather than teeth work well. Cannot remember what they are called. Lots of benefits of not having teeth to chip and fracture, better cutting action .

 

[penberth3]

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The blades with abrasive on rather than teeth work well. Cannot remember what they are called. Lots of benefits of not having teeth to chip and fracture, better cutting action .

I know exactly what you mean. Carbide grit, possibly?

 

[Triassic]

Be interested to hear what folk carry to cut their forestay, especially if it's inside a furler.....?

 

[penberth3]

Be interested to hear what folk carry to cut their forestay, especially if it's inside a furler.....?

Surely there's a bottom bit that's always on the outside?

 

[savageseadog]

I have a pair of very long handle pro rigging cutters, ex power grid tool similar to the Felco. I did a test cut, in good order they cut through 7mm Dyform but it required a lot of force to the extent I put one handle on the floor (my drive) and leaned on the other. I'm reasonably fit and strong. I reckon it's probably a two man job on board a yacht with 7mm and above rigging. I actually have a Shootit cartridge powered cutter on board these days. The one time I was dismasted on a previous boat, a 30 footer, we pulled the pins out of the rigging screws.

 

[Triassic]

Surely there's a bottom bit that's always on the outside?

My furler certainly comes right down to the deck attachment point where it is secured below the forestay turnbuckle. If it didn't then there would be a real risk of the forestay wire being unwound when the furler rotates. The foil then extends pretty much all the way to the top, there's only about two inches of stay exposed above it and you're certainly not going to reach that in a hurry, although I suppose if the mast has come down you could swim out there and cut it....... I was just curious as to how many people might have catered for that when they decided they needed to keep something to cut the rigging to hand.