replacing running rigging on a sailboat replacing running rigging on a sailboat

From knowing the parts of the sails to understanding the need for tension, I'll go over everything you need to know about rigging sails. The cost of replacing the standing rigging is, on average, $4,000 every 10 years. The final price depends on two things - what type of engine you have, and how hard it is to get to the starter. Customize your boat, or put it back in its original factory condition with parts and gear from MacgregorOwners.com. The interval of longterm maintenance will increase dramatically in these conditions. If you look closely at the line right before it wraps around behind the spindle, youll see that it is starting to chafe because there is not a fair lead for the line running into the slot. Generally, they consist of either three or four parts (Sta-Lok has three; Hi-MOD has four), including a sleeve; a cone; in Hi-MODs case, a crown wheel; and the terminal (an eye, fork, stud, etc.). A lot of new boat owners overlook the maintenance costs of sailboats - and maintenance can get pricey quickly. Take a look at your mast stepparticularly if your mast is keel-stepped, as bilge water can cause serious corrosion at the foot of the mast. Generally its much better to stay with the more traditional line for the running rigging of older boats. A boat with sound supports should not require re-tuning in less than 5 years. The average price of a used cruising sailboat is between $10,000 and $100,000. Kinks in wire is like chafe on a line. Gas engines run for about 1,500 hours, diesel engines run for 5,000. 0 www.rigbos.com. Some have an extra light sheet for real light winds so the sheet doesnt weigh the jib down. Copyright 2023 Cruising World. Lets say you ripped a tang out of the mast; you can use a Dyneema loop to create another attachment point. With the forestay removed, take the opportunity to fully service your headsail furling gear as well. Good question. With the tension off its a lot easier to waggle the terminal around and check closely for cracks, wear, distortion or corrosion. Headed by Dona Bertarelli, the Spindrift team has been on a mission to set a read more, In some stunning footage from onboard reporter Antoine Auriol, Boris Herrmann and his team aboard Malizia decided to cut their Code 0 free after it came loose and got tangled in the keel last night. Over time, the halyard still moved in the wind and the shroud chafed through the cover, exposing the core. RIGGING TIP: Why not fit a pair of mast steps a few feet from the masthead to give you a solid base on which to stand while youre working up there, rather than hanging uncomfortably in the bosuns chair? It's about a days worth of work. This way you wont risk deforming the mast or pulling a fitting out of line. They might have swollen, so the new will appear to be a smaller gauge. So youve determined your sailboats standing rigging needs work. Its one of the most important features on a sailboat, but many owners put standing rigging at the back of their minds when it comes time to do their pre-season safety checks. It sounds to me that the question is when, not if you will go for new rigging. 2. I have broken more than my share of components in newer boats while a lot less in older boats. If your standing rigging is . If you follow directions, they are fairly straightforward to install, although not especially easy. Mount the masts. Leave each line with extra length, and coil the lines up. All rights reserved. It would help if we knew what your boat was! Did you find the answer to your specific question? Standing rigging supports your boat's mast. The Rigging Company gears much of its sales to DIY sailors and is beginning an e-commerce site to cater specifically to handy individuals. This is the furling line for an in-mast furler. You can also use sacrificial covers to protect halyards from clutch damage,. Although rod rigging is more common on racing boats, many well-known cruising-boat builders, such as Valiant, Bristol, J/Boats and Hinckley, have rod-rigged models. Its always advisable to unstep the mast every few years to check it over thoroughly at ground level, so this is an obvious time to consider replacing the shrouds and stays, particularly if the forestay is to be replaced, as removing the furler without damaging it can be a tricky task. Contact us If in doubt, get a professional opinion. Similarly, its easier to find usable replacement parts far from busy ports. This line wont last long in these conditions. Also look to see if there are any broken wires where the shroud enters the terminal. Replacing electronics won't be very important - however, your batteries will need to be replaced more often. As you can see, most of these costs are longterm recurring maintenance costs. For sheets, if you're happy with the length take the old ones off determine the gauge and and match them up. They weigh less and take up less room. The Estimated Costs of Replacing a Jibs and Genoas Sails for boats measuring 42' to 50' can cost around $5,500-$9,000 Sails for boats measuring 36' to 42' can cost around $4,000-$7,000 Sails for boats measuring 32' to 36' can cost around $3,000-$5,000 Sails for boats measuring 24' to 32' can cost around $2,500-$4,000 Personally, Im in favor of it, but if you replace the standing rigging frequentlyevery 10 years, saythen it might not be necessary. Also, there are a lot of costs you can save on substantially if you do simple maintenance yourself or have a simple boat. You want a reliable boat, which means you'll fix anything that needs fixing immediately. Sometimes they let you go longer if you have the rig professionally inspected, particularly if you have an electronic check carried out on the terminals and other crucial fittings. Whether you want to replace aging and questionable rigging, be able to handle a wider range of weather conditions, or add sail trimming upgrades for more speed and better pointing to windward, this ebook will show you . Most engines will last you about 20 years, depending on the amount of use and whether you use it properly. The cover on core dependent dyneema line normally acts as the first defense against UV rays and chafe, but when you strip it back, the dyneema has to fend for itself. The idea is you come on deck with this small canvas bag and make it happen, Cockerill says. Included in every new DragonFlight 95 v2 kit : v2 DF95 Rigging Instructions. Next check the back and forestay fittings where they connect to the mast, ensuring any clevis pins are straight and secure. The only thing we can really do is regularly inspect lines to look for wear. No signs of corrosion or stray strands anywhere. Parts total: $600 on average My belief is that you should be replacing your sailboats standing rigging every 10 to 15 years. But this time frame also is variable, depending on the boats purpose and use. Aside from the relative cost differences between rod and wire (rod is more expensive), what also makes a switch pricey is having to significantly modify the mast to accept the different rigging. [advertisement] Take this opportunity to check out your spars as well. The next area deserving close scrutiny is the spreaders. Running rigging varies between vessels that are rigged fore and aft and those that are square-rigged. ImproveSailing is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. VerticalScope Inc., 111 Peter Street, Suite 600, Toronto, Ontario, M5V 2H1, Canada. The new Dufour 37 slots in just above the 32-foot baby of the family, and it replaces the previous Dufour 360 from three years ago. Steps. The running rigging consists of all the lines, sheets, and so on that is used to haul and operate the sails. I'll also inquire about upgrading to one size up. Now is a good time to install all new cotter pins or rings to leave no doubt as to the integrity of your connections. Rigging is a significant part of building a model ship. For instance, Madden says, he recently had a customer whose 46-foot cutter had a rigging failure at six years. This is a perfect example to illustrate why a thorough, yearly inspection of running rigging is important. 1. If the existing is frayed and faded - then a decision should be made to contract a rigger, preferably to x) inspect and give a written report on the condition of all the running rigging; to y) provide a written quotation to supply and fit new line; to z) provide a written quotation to replace sheeves and other running rigging components with new. Rigging comprises the system of ropes, cables and chains, which support a sailing ship or sail boat 's masts standing rigging, including shrouds and stays and which adjust the position of the vessel's sails and spars to which they are attachedthe running rigging, including halyards, braces, sheets and vangs. Cracks are hard to see (use a magnifying glass), and sometimes marks that look like cracks can be left by the machine used to create the swage. Get all your parts together. Old turning blocks, padeyes, sheaves and cam cleats as well as genoa tracks and rope clutches are just not capable of handling the loads you can exert using high tech line. Step 1 - Hire a professional rigger with a good reputation to do a thorough survey of your standing AND running rigging. Perhaps a rogue cotter pin sticking out of a turnbuckle. Having to hire a rigger to climb your mast to run a new halyard after the old one breaks. Any requirement to re-tune the rig more often than that would point to wires been stretched beyond their tensile strength minimums. We replaced the line AND the sheave box to ensure that the new halyard wont chafe. You could consider buying a LED electric distress light instead, which will last you a lifetime. Yes, doing it yourself will theoretically save money. Then we head over to Bacon Sails and Marine Supplies for a tu. Inspect the area around tang plates and toggle fittings for cracks, preferably using a magnifying glass. Since then I've enjoyed sailing very much - and I've never been afraid of the water again. Here's a full overview of all the recurring maintenance from most to least frequent. The three most commonly used types of attachments are swaged and mechanical fittings for wire, and cold heads for rod. The former requires someone with a swage machine to fit terminals, the latter you can fit yourselfwith care. These specific components likewise reinforce the spars against increased loads when wind interacts . As I have done a fair amount of club racing, my personal preference would be to use any of the above products for everything except the halyards and then go for a lighter, low stretch, high tech product such as New England Ropes T-900 for the halyards and get the eye splices done professionally. Most insurance companies reckon you should replace your standing rigging about every 10 years. Low-cost tension gauges are now available and are a useful addition to your cruising toolbox anyway. A standard 15HP or 20HP outboard gas engine will cost you about $5,000 - $6,000 and needs replacing every 20 years or so. The owner didnt adjust the rigging to compensate for the stretch for several seasons. If you go DIY, you will be limited to mechanical end fittings unless you hire a rigger to swage your end fittings. Replacing Running Rigging on an Older Sailboat, a bowline or other knot in a high tech line reduces the breaking strength by up to 80%, for jib sheets you must increase the line size to account for the reduced strength more $$$$, an eye splice is required to attach a shackle to a halyard. This one didnt. These carry a good deal of compression load, so check their roots for damage and make sure the spreaders arent bent in any waythey should exactly bisect the angle of the shroud. If you own a bluewater cruiser, your maintenance cost will go up a lot. . If the leeward shroud flops around underway, the constant flexing will weaken the metal over time and make it more prone to fail. This video illustrates how to change your halyard rope in your sailboat. I actually just replaced the outer turnbuckles. You can take a masthead halyard from side to side to ensure that the masthead is on center. Proper size and material components for the rig are further consideration. However, larger boats of 30 feet and up will cost considerably more. Read more on the average cost to replace a boat starter here. Since each one is 34' and then add another 6-10 to be safe? USCG safety regulations require you to replace safety gear regularly. But not just any kind of sailing. Replacing Running Rigging on an Older Sailboat If you're thinking of buying a used sailboat it's probable that your final selection will be a boat that is a few years old - and the halyards, mainsheet, backstay, jibsheets and other running rigging will probably look a little old, dirty and frayed. The cost of replacing the standing rigging is, on average, $4,000 every 10 years. But Marissa and Chris Neely on Avocet saw a weather window and jumped, making their first big offshore passage the wrong way from Santa Barbara to San Francisco and loving itmostly. This way you can cut the wire roughly to length and have a rigger swage the tops, fit them in place yourself and terminate the lower ends to suit. It's the best way to protect your boat in wintertime, period. Sampson Ropes make a double braid dacron called XLS, New England Ropes make a similar product called Sta-Set and Yale Ropes product is called Vizzion. Yes, its unlikely youll suffer a massive failure during normal coastal cruising, but it is good practice to spend a little time looking carefully at each element of your rig at least once a month, or before a cruise lasting more than a few daysparticularly if heavy weather is expected. Its imported and sold through distributors like Alps Wire Rope. I recently sailed on a boat that had rust around the wire/swage on all the shrouds. Lifejackets have to be replaced every 10 years. The former need careful scrutiny and often sustain damage from misalignment. This halyard had been wrapped around a shroud and tightened to prevent it from slapping against the mast while at the dock. Prices for new boats typically range from $100,000 to $500,000. In other words, if your boat already has rod rigging, with all of the end fittings to terminate the rods both on deck and in or on the mast, then sticking with rod will ultimately be less expensive than making the switch to wire. They also would carry a piece of wire as long as the longest stay on the boat coiled and stowed, which undeniably was sometimes easier said than done as well as spare end fittings and the tools needed to replace a broken shroud or stay. You can see that the chafe is only occurring on one side of the line, the side that comes in contact with the sheave. The screw threads and locking nuts need regular cleaning and some light greasing to prevent corrosion. Overall, this halyard looked relatively new compared to some of the other lines on this boat, and this sheave probably caused the demise of the previous halyard. Complete, illustrated 16 page instruction guide to get your new DragonForce 95 rigged, setup and on the water! Read more on boat engine replacement costs here. To avoid excessive wear, make sure your halyard sheaves are the proper type for whatever line you select. Both are located in the U.K., and the products are distributed in the U.S. through vendors like Hayn, West Marine, Defender, and local chandleries and riggers. we have provided rigging services and have specialized in running rigging. To be more precise, the highly tensioned stays and shrouds that support the mast are known collectively as standing rigging, whilst the rope halyards, sheets and other control lines come under the heading of running rigging. This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register. A running manoeuvre has a free end that can be acted upon. This number is reached by assuming that the average cost for materials is around $1,500, 32 hours to fabricate the rigging, and 30 hours to install the rigging. It will always be a judgment call. But a newly cracked sheave or an exposed cotter pin can quickly shred a line that otherwise would have lasted much longer. Did you know that rope halyards are easier to handle and significantly lighter than wire halyards. Come join the discussion about sailing, modifications, classifieds, troubleshooting, repairs, reviews, maintenance, and more! There is no hard and fast rule for "when" to replace your running rigging. As you work your way down the mast, take a glance at the mainsail track to see if its in good condition and well secured. Batteries have a limited number of charge cycles. Check your spreaders, chainplates and turnbuckles for cracking, fatigue, missing cotter pins/rings, etc. Allow at least a foot for each splice or knot. The sails, rigging, and engine will be less critical if you won't take her out very often. There are some obvious answers to this one for instance, if your wire rigging has broken strands or if its suffering from candy-striping, i.e., rust-colored streaks swirling down the wire. Additionally, a DIY sailor needs to do plenty of research, particularly when it comes to wire quality, which is something professional sailboat rigging companies watch like hawks. Attach as many of the rigging lines as possible to the masts, booms, and gaffs. Deck hardware consists of the bullseyes, tiller, eye straps, cleats, and so on. Good quality cruising sails will need to be replaced every 10 years or so. The Fora platform includes forum software by XenForo. The number one destroyer of line is chafe. Top manufacturers of swaged fittings are Hayn Marine Rigging Products, Alexander Roberts and C. Sherman Johnson. For a small boat (under 30 feet), you can expect to pay anywhere from $500 to $2000 for standing rigging replacement. If you want to know exactly what the USCG safety requirements are, including checklists, definitely check out my article here. how much fuel a sailboat uses in my article, ICC (International Certificate of Competence, Average Cost of Buying & Owning a Sailboat (With 4 Examples). For those with external halyard blocks, check to make sure all lines run freely and that block bearings arent worn. On sailboats, however, there aren't a lot of non-essential parts. Marine sailboat supplier of running rigging - halyards, dock lines and halyar=ds shackles. All standing rigging, whether rod or wire, has to end in a fitting that attaches to the deck and mast. For later reference, photograph each wire end, terminal and mast attachmentditto for the lower ends, turnbuckles, toggles and chainplatestaking careful note of the positions of the turnbuckles. Shrouds and stays should be replaced in pairs, applying just enough tension to support the mast with you climbing it, but not tuned to sail. I would think at the first notice of a few broken strands in more than two of the wires. We only sell guaranteed-content, guaranteed-process wire, Herman says. Some of these might not apply to your situation. It's a good idea to replace wire running rigging with high-modulus rope, but the reality is that in most cases we can't because many masts that were designed for wire have sheaves that are: Grooved for wire. If you carry a life-raft you'll need to replace that every 12 years as well. To save you from surprises, here's a full overview of costs you can expect when owning a sailboat. Tips on leading lines aft to the cockpit for single-handed sailing; Running rigging color selection, line storage, and more! Double braid lines are used in running rigging and dock . Final words Congratulations! You could be setting yourself up for some serious problems, as well a spending a lot of unnecessary money into the bargain. Down Haul. Are the chainplates sound? Standing rigging are the cables that support the mast. Now, let's return to the original proposition, which was a complete replacementon three different cost levelsof basic running rigging for a 32 sloop. For all remaining running rigging, you can use polyester double-braid rope. Replacing your Standing Rigging with Jimmy Green Marine. That said, some sailors prefer wire over rod for a number of reasons. Most recent receipt was for lower stays 10 years ago. At least once a year, at the beginning or end of the sailing season, you should visually inspect all of your running rigging and look for signs of wear. Adhering to the minimum safety requirements shouldn't cost you more than 150 - 250 dollars every 5 years. Whether you are setting up the hardware for a trapeze or trying to create the perfect mast rake before a big race with your tension guage, we at MAURIPRO Sailing will meet your Rigging needs. This is a quick and easy job for a rigger to do and covers can be replaced each season rather than discarding the rope. For docklines a 27 ft. boat would use 1/2" nylon: 25' bow, 15' stern, and 20' spring. That history will affect what kind of life you get out of your standing rigging. Some insurance companies, he says, will require a re-rig if youre purchasing a used boat that has standing rigging older than 15 years. That was a case of not knowing that the worst thing you can do to standing rigging is have it loose on the leeward side, he says. This is some excellent information! With all of these factors in mind, what can you expect to pay for standing rigging replacement? Usually the owner's manual gives you the specifications of all the running and standing rigging. I am going to be getting new jib sheets with will be 7/16" for ease of handling. Sticking to the 10-year rule, Madden says, means that for the most part, any corrosion or failure points will be eliminated with a re-rig.