Standing Rigging - How Old?

[3Sheets]

I bought my boat at the end of last season, and the surveyor recommended the standing rigging be replaced as he could not tell how old it was. thus the insurers require the rigging to be replaced.

I read on another forum that some boats (Moody in this case) have the date the rigging was installed stamped on the bottle screw, I have checked mine and cannot see any dates, just the name Gibb on the terminals.

It seems to make a lot of sense to put a date on the installation I am surprised it isn't common practice - although the riggers probably get a lot of work out of folks like me having to change the rigging as a precautionary measure.

If any one has any views on ways of checking the age I would appreciate it.

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[webcraft]

Not much point in putting the date on the bottlescrews, as these can be replaced separately. I can't see the manufacturers being keen anyway, as bottlescrews could stay on the shelf untensioned and unstressed for years and then go past their 'sell-by' date without ever being used. There's enough of this sort of madness in ordinary shopping, without introducing it into sailing.

I've just replaced all my standing rigging so now I know how old it is . . . spent several hours beating into 25+ knots last Friday and was quite happy to have paid the money. I've also kept all the old stuff as spares just in case.

- Nick





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[poter]

being the owner of a Moody & done quite a lot of work on her, I can't say that I have noticed any dates on the rigging.

Most riggers & insurance companies reckon 10 years is about the time to change standing rigging. You don't say what your yacht is?
To give you some idea: new, complete standing rigging, including bottle screws and covers for a 30' was £1400. not cheap but I feel a lot safer in a blow.

good luck & welcome to the forum.


poter.



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[oldsaltoz]

G'day 3 sheets, you should update your profile, it helps when answering a question, if only boat type and location...

To the matter in hand, no chance of getting info from the last owner, or getting the broker to enquire for then?

Avagoodweekend............

<hr width=100% size=1> Old Salt Oz /forums/images/icons/cool.gif Growing old is unavoidable. However, growing up is still optional.

 

[William_H]

Hello 3 sheets. Just to tell you something you already knew the standing rigging does need to be replaced after about 10 years. A friend of mine with a little 21 footer had the boat for about a year. Went out sailing 2 months ago when cap shroud let go. It was 1x19 stainless steel 3/16 diameter but about 25 years old. It parted at the roll swage at the deck where moisture would collect. There was no sign of distress before the failure and all the rest of the rigging looked fine. Needless to say the mast broke and while the insurance company paid for the mast he still had to replace all the standing rigging. Lucky it wasn'ty a big boat .

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[webcraft]

Re: Standing Rigging - Cost

Ours for a 27ft boat (5mm) was £530 including all bottlescrews and fittings - but I removed the old rigging and delivered it to the yard then collected the new rigging and fitted it myself, so I guess this saved quite a bit of money.

I could have got it done nearly £100 cheaper if I'd sent it away, but preferred to have a local firm do it so I cold get it rectified quickly if there was a problem. (There wasn't.)

- Nick

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[Lost]

Depends how DIY minded you are, but one option is to change the rigging yourself, not that difficult especially if the mast is out. and use second hand rigging from a larger rig, this way you use the centre section of the wire where there has been no standing water/moisture you also end up using slightly larger wire, then use winchester fittings which can be clamped to wire using spanners. You'll save a lot and you'll know your rig inside out. we met several boats who had done this and then sailed across the pond...I just wish I had... mine cost £2700! for a 39ft boat, but it did include two new jam cleats!! and then it rusted and left stains down the transom!

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[Capt_Scarlet]

When I bought my boat, the insurers wanted the rigging changed. As an alternative I had the rigging electrically tested - had to send it away, although it can be done in situ, I think. The resistance of the terminals is accurately measured, and compared to known standards. If any of the internal cores have fractured, the readings are affected. This technique is apparently used in the electricity transmission industry. It satisfied the insurers, but I wasn't particularly convinced myself.

Rigging now changed anyway due to a claim after club mooring chain broke....


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[Steve Clayton]

<<<<Not much point in putting the date on the bottlescrews, as these can be replaced separately. I can't see the manufacturers being keen anyway, as bottlescrews could stay on the shelf untensioned and unstressed for years and then go past their 'sell-by' date without ever being used.>>>

The riggers date stamp the screws at the time of replacing the standing rigging - standard practice at Moody's in Swanwick.

Steve

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[webcraft]

That's a good idea I suppose . . . but I reckon most insurance companies would still want to see the receipt in the event of a claim. Do they stamp the swages as well? That would be better, surely?

Do any other rigging firms do this?

- Nick

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[Peppermint]

Re: It\'s a funny old world.

I've lost one mast and damn near lost another and both times the rig had been changed that season. As it had been changed it hadn't been inspected by me. I've sailed on boats were the rigging was in good condition despite being nearer twenty years old.

I'm changing my rig next year but I'll be inspecting every inch of the job.

Interesting when we broke a shroud as we tacked. I was steering and kind of froze we went around and gybed and I got my act together and we've not lost the mast. Braced it up with the topping lift to get home.


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