Standing Rigging + furling gear replacement

[chriscallender]

I've been getting a quote for replacement of my standing rigging and I've been told that its most likely impossible to replace the forestay in my existing furling gear (Rotastay which was fitted with new forestay in ~1992) as the furler itself is likely to need replacement parts which are no longer available.

Since the furling gear has been working fine and I have otherwise no need to replace it, this adds $$$£££$$$ to the amount that I had budgeted for replacing the rigging!

SO, should I just bite the bullet and replace the furler as well or am I probably just being told this so that the rigger can sell a new furler as well as the standing rigging? Or do I get hanks fitted to all my foresails...!!!

 

[LORDNELSON]

Contact Ian Cochrane of XW Rigging Ltd., TEL: 01243 573131. XW Rigging own Rotostay and refurbish them. Mine was refurbished last year and I believe it was a 1990 model! Cost including doing the foil with a new section was £500 + VAT including the new forestay

 

[roger]

I'm replacing a rotostay 2 because it no longer works reliably. I found rather disquietingly that the forestay and foil rotate together and the integrity of the system depends on two joints rotating under full forestay load. Other furlers dont do this.
Furlers at the boat show now come with a much smaller luff groove. Found this at the boat show. So If you change the foil you have to change or modify the headsail too.
Rotostay claimed to be able to supply parts for my furler vintage about 1990 so you may be lucky?

 

[Guest]

Seems to be an established rigger trick this one:

When replacing the standing rigging, claim that the furling system in it's entirety needs replacing.

This is a simple job that doubles the cost of the whole re-rig. The furling systems are often ordered whole (forestay already cut to length, terminated and assembled) from the UK agent/manufacturer/distributor. Messing around replacing the wire forestay inside the foil likely requires the drum to be disassembled, and there's more flavours of furling gear than you can shake a stick at.

Usual excuses...

Can't get the spares, bearings will need replacing, ooh, that's a solid extrusion system and is hopelessly antiquated etc...

In general, if you aren't getting problems, then disregard the riggers advice for 10 minutes, fire up google and then speak to the UK agents / manufacturers. You'll often get a different story (and a less expensive one) on exactly what does need to be done.

Mike