replacing running rigging on a sailboat

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. As a basic rule, the replacement of the standing rig should be done every 10 years, except for multihulls or regattas, and rod or composite fiber rigging. 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. For sheets, if you're happy with the length take the old ones off determine the gauge and and match them up. read more, 2023 Active Interest Media All Rights Reserved. After that, you'll need to change them out. if it were wire you could get away for about half that price. Whether youre buying a used sailboat thats new to you or youve owned your boat for decades, the standing rigging is what keeps the mast in place, and thus requires particular attention. Tips on leading lines aft to the cockpit for single-handed sailing; Running rigging color selection, line storage, and more! If you need to replace the mast and boom, prepare to spend anywhere between $15,000 - $25,000. Keep the tension equal on each side by counting the turns on each turnbuckle. It's also called antifouling paint because it helps to protect your hull from weeds, barnacles, and so on. The theory is that it can take 10 to 15 years of cycling, but this continual motion when its unloaded is what fatigues the wire, Madden says. This way you wont risk deforming the mast or pulling a fitting out of line. and about a 200 anchor .line. 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. Fisheries Supply is your premier supplier of sailing and rigging rope from top brands like Samson, Marlow, Robline and New England Rope. Theres no real way of measuring that. Sailboat Running Rigging You don't want to have faulty sailboat running rigging. Put together both the pieces of your mast. That said, some sailors prefer wire over rod for a number of reasons. we have provided rigging services and have specialized in running rigging. Deep cycle batteries (which are best for household functionality) need replacing every 4-6 years and will cost roughly $600. The average price of used sailboats is $111,000, ranging from $19,000 to $518,000. Also, you'll have plenty of time doing odd jobs yourself, since you'll be living on the boat. In the past, long-distance cruisers typically chose wire rigging with mechanical fittings for all of these reasons. When the rig is tuned the wires are stretched. Gas engine will last a lot less long than diesels. Wendy Mitman Clarke is currently between passages. 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.). If the leeward shroud flops around underway, the constant flexing will weaken the metal over time and make it more prone to fail. If you suspect a possible crack, try running some dye over itthe crack will become much more obvious that way. The Netherlands And although rod rigging may be able to last longer than wire, it too needs to be serviced every five to six years to get the most life out of it. Your boat will need bottom paint roughly every 2 years (could be longer, but to be safe, let's keep it at two). Polyester double braid works great for frequently adjusted lines, like main and jib sheets, or moderately loaded control lines. (This is true anywhere there are stainless fittings by the way, so be wary of putting too much tape or tight-fitting covers on them.). These boats have less moving parts and less critical parts. Clean and lubricate them, then refasten them, and remember to mouse them with new galvanized wire and tape over the ends to avoid chafe. Its best to slacken them off, giving them a few turns each way and removing any clevis pins for close inspection before re-tensioning the shroud or stay and then locking it off with new split rings or cotter pins. Read more on the average cost to replace a boat starter here. I would think at the first notice of a few broken strands in more than two of the wires. Finally, rod rigging requires a particular type of terminus called a cold head that can be fabricated only with a purpose-built machine, which only a rigging shop will have. Where you can really save some money, is on the labor. Step 1 - Hire a professional rigger with a good reputation to do a thorough survey of your standing AND running rigging. Send messengers up mast for in-mast rigging - 3/2018 Running rigging varies between vessels that are rigged fore and aft and those that are square-rigged. Shes the director of media relations at Washington College in Chestertown, Maryland, and she and her family continue to pine and plan for the day they can return to the cruising life. Your engine will wear out faster, and you'll need more incidental repairs as well. This is some excellent information! You want a reliable boat, which means you'll fix anything that needs fixing immediately. They can also crack under the constant tension, particularly if the rig has been pumping in rough seas or if the toggles that ensure proper shroud alignment have seized and cant move freely. Similarly, its easier to find usable replacement parts far from busy ports. I just replaced all the rope running rigging on a Catalina 27 for about $300. Then we head over to Bacon Sails and Marine Supplies for a tu. I have broken more than my share of components in newer boats while a lot less in older boats. On the other hand, it will be very important to maintain hull health, as even small leaks will lead to condensation and mold, which is horrible for your health and living standard. Marine sailboat supplier of running rigging - halyards, dock lines and halyar=ds shackles. Most engines will last you about 20 years, depending on the amount of use and whether you use it properly. Most masts have integral sheaves, which are rarely serviced except when the mast is unsteppedoften only at five-year intervals. 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. And if your boat is in the the Seattle area, wed love to come take a look at your running rigging. 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. If you're like me, and not so lucky to live in Florida, you need to winterize your boat. The latter is very important, as its a common cause of weakness, so wherever possible ensure stainless steel fittings are insulated from an aluminum mast. What would be the maintenance cost if you were on a tight budget? If in doubt, get a professional opinion. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited. The short answer is, lithium batteries perform better and last longer than many lead-acid batteries. The customer had had the boat re-rigged, and during a trip to the BVI, the new wire stretched. When inspecting your rig you should also make an inventory of all its parts and their dimensions. Cleat the halyard and pull it to the tape mark on one side . The actual total annual cost is $3,000 to $7,000, due to other recurring costs like docking and insurance fees. 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. Re-rigging To re-mouse the halyards, flake out the halyard, attach the working end to the mousing line that comes from the masthead, and check they are secure, before pulling back through. The sheave in the halyard exit box is chipped and has sharp edges. (Deck-stepped masts are less prone to corrosion as the foot of the mast is open to the air and can dry quickly.) Adhering to the minimum safety requirements shouldn't cost you more than 150 - 250 dollars every 5 years. If you have (reasonable) evidence that the PO replaced only the worst sections, it's safe to assume that the rest of the rig is getting ancient and failure prone. Use nylon 3-Strand for anchor, dock, mooring and tow lines or polyester 3-strand for running rigging on traditional cruising boats. The following resources contain do-it-yourself information on upgrading and maintenance. Marlow Ropes in the UK produce Marlowbraid. One of the most common areas of rig failure is where the shrouds terminateboth at the mast tang or socket fitting and the wire terminal, toggle or T-ball. The cost of replacing the standing rigging is, on average, $4,000 every 10 years. . Some boaters don't shrink wrap in the winter because of it. With the forestay removed, take the opportunity to fully service your headsail furling gear as well. The Average Cost to Shrink Wrap a Boat (per foot), seasonal maintenance, hull, engine, rigging, don't set aside money for long-term recurring maintenance (rigging, sails, hardware, and batteries), don't outsource engine maintenance, instead do oil changes ourselves, seasonal maintenance - yearly recurring jobs. Most recent receipt was for lower stays 10 years ago. The only thing we can really do is regularly inspect lines to look for wear. A rope with a Dyneema core (SK 78 or better) with a polyester cover that can be removed from the working ends would be best. This is a quick and easy job for a rigger to do and covers can be replaced each season rather than discarding the rope. Depending on the answers to those questions and others, a professionally done re-rig for a 40-footer could be closer to $6,000 or more. The average cost of a new cruising sailboat is about $250,000. Come join the discussion about sailing, modifications, classifieds, troubleshooting, repairs, reviews, maintenance, and more! That's just what it is. Start at the bottom, working your way up from the lowers, to the cap shrouds and finally the stays. A boat spending most of the last 10 years on a trailer with the mast in a cradle has only corrosion to consider. Although anyone can walk into a local chandlery and buy wire, that doesnt mean the wire is of the highest quality. Many products featured on this site were editorially chosen. Hello improvesailing.com webmaster, You always provide useful information. We only sell guaranteed-content, guaranteed-process wire, Herman says. Personally, Im in favor of it, but if you replace the standing rigging frequentlyevery 10 years, saythen it might not be necessary. We're the first and last stop for parts and accessories. Improve Sailing 14.8K subscribers In part 3 of our series on sailboat parts, we dive into two types of rigging: standing rigging and running rigging. One part of sailboats and yachts that must be inspected, maintained, or even replaced when necessary is the standing rigging. Allow at least a foot for each splice or knot. JavaScript is disabled. As for sources of wire and fittings, there are many, including major chandleries and vendors, like West Marine and Defender, as well as some private riggers, like Annapolis Rigging and the Rigging Company, which will work with you to define what you need and help you source parts and materials. The condition of this halyard is likely due to UV degradation. Free shipping on $90+! 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. JavaScript is disabled. VerticalScope Inc., 111 Peter Street, Suite 600, Toronto, Ontario, M5V 2H1, Canada. Listing Results for Shore Support & Services, Sailing & Rigging and ENG1 Medical Certificate in Marans, Levallois Perret and Cap D'Agde I have got quotes for sails for my 40' boat and they range from $8k for a jib and a main and I replaced the standing rigging on my boat. With inboard engines, this is not something you can easily do yourself - it isn't just unscrewing a motor and screwing a new one in. Included are halyards, main sheet, headsail sheets, and topping lift. 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. FWIW, I just replaced all my running rigging on my 30' with 3/8" Sta-Set for thr halyards and 3/8" XLE for topping lift and downhaul, the halyard were wire-rope but now all rope. Tag each line with a sticker noting which line it is. USCG safety regulations require you to replace safety gear regularly. Its common to choose to fit lighter swaged terminals at the top of a stay or shroud and mechanical ones at the bottom, where swaged terminals are more vulnerable to corrosion. ImproveSailing is compensated for referring traffic and business to this companies. If line is properly taken care of, it can last many decades. I use a 3D model and some diagrams. Stainless steel needs oxygen to prevent crevice corrosion, so dont overdo it with tape (left); enough to cover the cotter pin will suffice (center). Mechanical fittings can be applied using a few common hand tools by the mechanically handy DIY sailor, which is one reason theyre popular. Dyneema is especially susceptible to UV degradation. On a sailboat, a distinction is made between running rigging and standing rigging. Now would also be a good time to change those old cotter pins and circlip rings as well. Click here for a full walkthrough with diagrams. Depending on the spreader joint, cap shrouds can sometimes prove troublesome as well, often requiring the spreaders to be disconnected at their roots. With all of these factors in mind, what can you expect to pay for standing rigging replacement? Too narrow for equivalent ropeshould be 10% wider than the diameter of the rope. The former need careful scrutiny and often sustain damage from misalignment. Modelers Central guide you through the importance it adds to the beauty of your finished model. There are other wires out there that are cheaper, but theyre not guaranteed.. It's a really helpful post (with a formula) if you want to know what to expect. This one didnt. Kinks in wire is like chafe on a line. I found some tests that some SBO folks had done many years ago on the O'Day 25's standing rigging. The simple answer is to measure it. Inboard engine (and generator) starters cost from $40 - over $1,000 depending on the engine. Cut a square piece of wood about 3-4 on each side. So how often should standing rigging be replaced? Inspect any integral reefing sheaves or bearing wear or UV degradation. One advantage is that you might not need to winterize if you're a fulltime cruiser since you'll probably spend your winters in Bermuda. Running rigging is the rigging of a sailing vessel that is used for raising, lowering, shaping and controlling the sails on a sailing vesselas opposed to the standing rigging, which supports the mast and bowsprit. It rolls the end fitting through two opposing dies and compresses the fitting on the wire so tightly that it cant pull out. I'll pull the standing rigging and as much hardware as reasonably possible (tangs, bolts, pins, turnbuckles, etc) and drop it off to a local rigger. Some have an extra light sheet for real light winds so the sheet doesnt weigh the jib down. 3. Not all maintenance is as important. If the baseplates, for example, are leaking, water will penetrate the deck, making the surrounding deck core mushy and weak (if a core exists) and possibly compromising supporting bulkheads and structures belowdecks. Although the hull actually read more, It was March, and Id made it through another Maine winter. If line is properly taken care of, it can last many decades. Also look to see if there are any broken wires where the shroud enters the terminal. 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. The Tartan 30 is an ideal used boat choice for a small family looking to sail offshore in varying sea conditions or simply wanting to have fun racing around the buoys with line-honors confidence. rigbos.com our online store is a progression allowing us to more effisantly supply customer Members of ABYC . On sailboats, however, there aren't a lot of non-essential parts. 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. Usually the owners manual gives you the specifications of all the running and standing rigging. ImproveSailing is compensated for referring traffic and business to this companies. Parts total: $600 on average The fastest route to crevice corrosion is to cover the metal with plastic or leather turnbuckle covers or to coat the fittings in tape. Still a lot of people single braid nylon for docklines, its a little more flexible. It would help if we knew what your boat was! Deck hardware consists of the bullseyes, tiller, eye straps, cleats, and so on. But if you want the good stuff, need more fire extinguishers, plan on spending more like $600. Just because a line or even the whole boat is new, doesnt mean there isnt something wrong with the running rigging. I cant understand why they wanted 75 feet for the main as I still have 25-30 feet even when the main sheet is eased all the way. Now is a good time to give it a quick spray with some track lubricant as you descend. You will most likely also need (or want) to replace toggles and cotter pins, even if you keep the turnbuckles. These products sell from $1.00 to $2.50 per foot. Most people starting out will get a smaller size boat and use it for day trips and weekend trips. 1. Dont forget the turnbuckles and chain plates. Contact us Did you know that rope halyards are easier to handle and significantly lighter than wire halyards. In marine environments, everything can go wrong exactly one time for it to be critical. Next check the back and forestay fittings where they connect to the mast, ensuring any clevis pins are straight and secure. For a small boat (under 30 feet), you can expect to pay anywhere from $500 to $2000 for standing rigging replacement. For an idea of the costs involved to replace your standing rigging, here are some examples of sets of rigging we have made for customers in the past 12 months (prices as of Sept 2022). 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. The most important determinant would be the boat's use; a boat used for racing or offshore cruising would require the wires to be inspected and replace more often. Does that mean that replacement time for those is longer? Final words Congratulations! LittleSister said: Re-rigging my 27 footer in 2017 cost me about 860 (though I was something of a captive audience, and didn't shop around - presumably both the boatyard and the riggers made money out of it). For a medium-sized boat (30-50 feet), the cost will be somewhere between $2000 and $4000. Run the remaining standing rigging. You could consider buying a LED electric distress light instead, which will last you a lifetime. Steps. A good set of rigging is of great importance in order to ensure navigation without causing any damage. You must log in or register to reply here. Check and make sure the sheaves run freely, that the bearings are not worn oval and that the retaining pins are secure. Some of these might not apply to your situation. A forum community dedicated to Sailing enthusiasts. First the desired end fitting is chosen (left), and the fitting is slid onto the end of the wire (center). Likewise, if you already have wire with fittings that accommodate your boat and mast, stick with wire. If your boat is in a full cradle, however, this shouldnt be an issue. 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. Standing rigging are the cables that support the mast. How the rigging has been tuned is also part of a boats story. For docklines a 27 ft. boat would use 1/2 nylon: 25 bow, 15 stern, and 20 spring. 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. The deciding factor of how much will this cost exactly is whether you can simply bolt the new engine in or whether you have to adjust all other parts, including shaft logs, exhausts, electrics, and so on. Get it wrong, and your boat could wind up on the beach in a bad blow. Preparing The Boat For Rigging. At minimal cost you can rig a permanent preventer that is easy to use, is fully adjustable, and does not require going forward on deck. The November 1969 Modern Boating magazine . If you want to know exactly what the USCG safety requirements are, including checklists, definitely check out my article here. Replacing the mast is uncommon, but if you're unlucky and get demasted, it will need to be fixed. It will be important to maintain a couple of parts, though: With a first boat, you most likely won't invest in new sails or the standing rigging if you don't have to. Learn all about the dangers of failing to winterize here. LUBE SAIL TRACK MATERIALS 3/2019. Your mainsheet probably sees more use than your spinnaker halyard.Our spinnaker halyards- on a boat that races frequently- are about 18 years old, and do not need replacing. But you should think carefully before you go ahead and buy any high tech replacement running rigging. How much does a used sail cost? Tests done by the magazine Practical Sailor and others show that if you tie any type of knot in a high-tech line, you can reduce the breaking strength of the line by up to 80%. With very slippery high tech line it is also possible to pull the knot through itself, and with an extra slippery line such as Yale Light its even possible to pull an eye splice out.. If you want to go for super low stretch halyards look at Spectra but the stretch isnt much more for a lot more bucks. A professional needs roughly 8 hours to get the job done. Make Wire cutting Jig. Exhausted In Singapore, For All the Wrong Reasons, Cruising World Takes Multiple Honors in Annual Writing and Photography Contest. A standard 15HP or 20HP outboard gas engine will cost you about $5,000 - $6,000 and needs replacing every 20 years or so. Check your spreaders, chainplates and turnbuckles for cracking, fatigue, missing cotter pins/rings, etc. The rig or rigging on a sailboat is a common term for two parts, the standing, and the running rigging. A smaller loop is a makeshift chainplate attachment you can attach it to a neighboring chainplate and attach the stay to it. Theres such a safety margin in rigging. Please try again. If your running rigging has seen better days, now might be the time to replace it. I would think at the first notice of a few broken strands in more than two of the wires. Down Haul. 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. If you carry a life-raft you'll need to replace that every 12 years as well. NEW FLAT SCREEN 36" TV IN THE V-BERTH - 2019 Replace Running Rigging, Lifelines and Engine Repairs 3/2018. The cost of replacing the standing rigging will vary greatly depending on the size of your boat and the location you get the job done. For over 40 years we have specialized in manufacturing standing rigging for all of the major sailboat manufacturers nationwide. I've read that standing rigging should be replaced anywhere from 10 all the way up to 20 years and also simply based on condition. For that reason, its difficult to give an accurate estimate of the cost of making the switch, even for an average 40-footer. The average price of a used cruising sailboat is between $10,000 and $100,000. Chafe occurs when line rubs against a sharp or rough surface. Generally its much better to stay with the more traditional line for the running rigging of older boats. This small cruiser is well built, easy to handle and relatively economical to maintain. One thing all the riggers I spoke with expressed emphatically was that stainless steel needs oxygen to create a fine film of oxidation that protects the metal. . The easiest way to prevent line from chafing all the way through is to simply look at your line. How exactly do you determine how much line you need for a given size sailboat? For instance, for an offshore bluewater boat, Madden recommends 10 years, and for a serious coastal cruiser, more like 12. I live in Friesland, The Netherlands, which is famous for its great lakes and lots of sailing opportunities. I dont want be a scaremonger, but standing rigging has so many possible failure points that regular inspections should really be part of every pre-cruise integrity check. The interval of longterm maintenance will increase dramatically in these conditions. Now, let's return to the original proposition, which was a complete replacementon three different cost levelsof basic running rigging for a 32 sloop. Let me explain. Masthead sloop, single spreader, 2 cap shrouds, 4 lowers, r/r forestay, single backstay. In a tropical area, or high sunshine location, you should replace the running rigging every six to eight years. There are multiple combinations and variations: For instance, if your mast has double tangs, most likely the end fitting will be an eye although it can be a marine eye or an aircraft eye, which differ primarily in shape. Sometimes it can be very obvious, but other times it is not. Wire rigging is generally less expensive and easier to handle. Double braid lines are used in running rigging and dock . splicing any of these high tech lines is not for the faint hearted. Included in every new DragonFlight 95 v2 kit : v2 DF95 Rigging Instructions. It will always be a judgment call. SKIRMISH was built for Clarence Noble in Brisbane. Inevitably. It definitely needed to be replaced. If you want to learn how to make your sailing dream reality within a year, leave your email and I'll send you free updates. For those with external halyard blocks, check to make sure all lines run freely and that block bearings arent worn. Perhaps a rogue cotter pin sticking out of a turnbuckle. I should have changed mine sooner than I did. We are a proud supplier of Yale Cordage. Here's a full overview of all the recurring maintenance from most to least frequent. Your subscription could not be saved. The sails, rigging, and engine will be less critical if you won't take her out very often. Flares have to be replaced every 42 months. We're looking for writers! I ended up just replacing all of the standing rigging through rigginonly.com in Fairhaven Ma. About us Here's the average cost to shrink wrap a boat. You should have the boat itself (the hull), the dagger board, the rudder and tiller, your mainsheet, both mast pieces, boom, boom bang and sail in one place. 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 . Rigging is a significant part of building a model ship. If the wire in a stay or shroud has stretched to the point where theres no room for further adjustment, make sure you compensate for this when replacing the wire so that at least one-third of the turnbuckle body is open to accommodate adjustments when the rig is fully tensioned. Would you replace this? NEW FLAT SCREEN 43' TV IN THE SALON - 2019. How Much Does it Cost to Dock a Boat for a Year? Lets say you ripped a tang out of the mast; you can use a Dyneema loop to create another attachment point. Its good enough to get you to safety and someplace you can make a more permanent repair. Riggers say very few sailors re-rig from wire to rod or the reverse, but if switching is on your mind, have a professional make a full assessment first. For my 41 feet sloop, I did most of the installation myself and paid approximately $4700 for the entire rig replacement. Either way, Jimmie Cockerill, co-owner of the Rigging Company in Annapolis, recommends that for a sailboat with wire rigging, the mast should be pulled and all fittings and wire visually inspected every five to six years. Turns out that owning a boat is pretty affordable. With chainplates its often not the actual hardware that fails, but the structure that supports them. 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.

Is Maurices Going Out Of Business, Can You Drive In California With A Canadian License, Vernon Parish Sheriff Office Jail Roster, Articles R

replacing running rigging on a sailboat

replacing running rigging on a sailboat