Rigging Failure Question?

[graham]

Further to Snowleapords rigging Fatigue question,has anyone ever had a shroud or stay snap in the middle?

I have seen several instances of rigging failure or near failure but allways either right next to a talurit type splice or involving shackles ,chainplates links etc.

This leads me to think that there must be a better way to put an eye in the end of a wire without weakening it so much.I read once of a system where the end of the strands were splayed out inside a cone which was then filled with epoxy,dont know if this would be a better system due to quality control problems.

For a long distance cruising yacht good quality bulldog grips could be used.After a long passage the clips could be moved up a bit to put the stresses on a new bit of the wire.When no more play left in the rigging screws short pieces of chain could make up the difference.

 

[KREW2]

Hi try this link www.s3i.co.uk/index.php
KW

 

[DeeGee]

Hmm, yes indeed. Caused me a bit of a hassle in F6 coming back from Breskens in Holland. The stay was a solent forestay, so the whole rig was not compromised.

You can see some images at www.pbase.com/image/42896126/large, click on next to sequence through - and try 'original' to see the s/s splitting like old putty.

The manufacturers accepted responsibility, and sent me the full refund price. That was the limit of their responsibility - usual non-consequential disclaimer. /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif

 

[graham]

Frightening pics. Norseman are usually well respected fittings .did you ever come to any conclusions as to what caused it to fail?

Once again this adds to my theory that almost without exception its the fittings or ends of the wire that give way first,rarely the middle part of a stay.

 

[TigaWave]

I'd be interested to know the age of the fittings? as everything will have a time when it will fail, as all rigging suffers from changing loads over time, so there is a cycle of bending and stretching. The cracks looked like they had corrossion in them which would suggest the had been cracked for some time?
I've only had a forestay go and that was the chain plate but it was Aluminium, so maybe not surprisng....mast staid up with the rapid attachment of two spare halyards.

 

[30boat]

I was recently told by a very respected source that Norseman terminals may develop this very problem and that Stalok terminals are much better,having,in fact,been developep by the same person.So, I only use Stalok now.
Besides the fitting looks too rusty anyway.

 

[alahol2]

Had exactly the same failure on mine some years ago. Luckily noticed it before anything gave way. Mine was still shiny with no signs of corrosion, just a split. Perhaps caused by overtightening?

 

[30boat]

Probably
The instructions state that tightening should be done to a reasonable amount and with not overlong hand tools(leverage).This is obviously very vague and there a distinct possibility of getting things wrong.It takes a bit of pratice I guess.