Standing Rigging

[Guest]

Is there any way one can tell by inspection when ones standing rigging should be replaced? particularly with regard to the swage fittings at the bottom of the shrouds. Or does one simply replace it on a periodic basis whether it needs it or not?

 

[Guest]

After 10 years get a survey £80-£120 should cost. 2 good outfits are XW in Haslar & Moodys rigging Dept at Swanwick.

 

[Guest]

Electronic testing

Visual inspection of stainless steel rigging is never reliable which is why insurance companies get a bit iffy about rigging more than seven years old and distinctly sniffy about wire over 10 years.

There IS a reasonably reliable way of checking rigging though, and that is electonically by testing the resistance of the wire and terminals. This shows up hairline cracks and hidden corrosion very well.

I believe there are two or three companies doing this sort of work around the country. The one I have used is Maidsure in Southampton but I know its proprietor, Dennis Maidment,was planning on retiring so it may not be in business still. Try ringing 02380 472424.

 

[Guest]

Don\'t know how you guys can afford to sail ...

I get mine checked out annually for $30 NZ!

 

[Guest]

Re: Electronic testing

Yes Dennis Maidment is still in operation. He checked all my rigging a month ago for £60 (approx £2 per terminal). I'm still not wholely convinced that this proves my rigging is sound, but its a lot better than nothing, and keeps my insurers happy.

 

[Guest]

The best way is to have a rigger come and look at it. I have been pleasantly suprised how often they, compared to some tradesmen say that things do not nedd replacing.

 

[Guest]

Prolonging the life of standing rigging

With swaged bottom fittings ensure that you melt anhydrous lanolin into them. S/S, no oxygen and sea water are a chemical salad that can cause swaged fittings to fail in less than 6 months. If lanolin is introduced to stop sea water getting into the swages than 10+ years can easily be achived.

Note 1; that 'stainless' is a misnomer as stainless can rust. If you see any rust on any stainless then you will know that you have the start of a progressive problem.

Note 2; Work hardening to crystalization in stainless is another problem. As far as I know there is no known method of determining the difference between plasticisity (sp?) and the immediate failure that occurs on crystalization.

 

[Guest]

Hence the name ... Stain Less else it would be called Stain Proof steel ) *

*

 

[Guest]

Re: No, there is no reliable way to test stainless steel rigging

Any form of non-distructive testing (crack detection or electrical resistance testing or ultrasonic testing, will only tell you that the rigging is close to failure, or it is not. There is no way of telling how much life it has left. If, for example, electical resistance testing showed no defects, you will not know that the rigging is close to the end of its fatigue life and may fail next week. With stainless steel, in particular, the onset of detectable deterioration leading to failure is very quick indeed, so an annual test will in no way give you an assurance that the rig will last another season.

 

[Guest]

where get lanolin?

Dear Nigel, Where can I buy some anhydrous lanolin, please?
Can you use this stuff on old rigging or are you just sealing in problems?
Thanks.

 

[Guest]

The Lanonlins

There are two types and both seem to work. Ordinary lanolin (white and solid) comes in 1lb (1/2 tubs) and anhydrous lanolin (yuk brown and viscous) comes in small tubs. Both are derived from sheeps wool and are available from a few chandlers or from from rigging shops that specialise in 'classic boats'

If you have swaged bottom fittings on your standing rigging or Staloks or Norsemen then lanolin will stop the rust marks spreading upwards.

 

[Guest]

Re: The Lanonlins

Thank you.