Standing rigging being replaced, need advice please.

JoeQ · #1 26-09-05, 18:07

Hi folks,

I'm having the standing rigging replaced on my boat and although the task isn't quite finished yet I have a few concerns and would like comments on the following please.

My boat is a long range cruiser and as such requires all parts to be over specified.

The terminal ends have been reduced such that the clevis pin size is much smaller than original, this means that the holes in the fittings in the mast and the chain plates are now larger than the clevis pins. Does this mean that point loading might occur and weaken the fitting?

The hardware at the lower end of the wire has also changed from original, the replacement fittings do not look as substantial as the original and the wire terminates in a screwed stud fitting instead of an eye. This concerns me as it might make it impossible to effect a running repair without specialised equipment.

The original rigging was fitted with white plastic tubing over approx 1M to 2M at the base, this hasn't been replaced. This is of more importance at the STB split rear stay where it forms part of the SSB aerial.

The main mast shrouds were fitted with wooden rollers at the spreader tips to prevent chaffing of the genoa, these haven't been replaced.

The original fittings had toggles which were a pretty good fit on the chain plates but the new fittings have integral forks which are a bit wider than the chain plate, perhaps more of an issue as the clevis pin diameter is now reduced.

The main shrouds were 1X19 and are now 7X19

These are just some things that concern me, hopefully the forum could put my mind at rest.

Thanks.

Joe_Cole · #2 26-09-05, 18:22

From what you say it sounds as if they have used whatever came to hand rather than getting what was needed.

The breaking strength of 7 x 19 is lower than that of 1 x 19 and that alone would give me cause for concern. The rest sounds like shoddy workmanship.

Sorry I can't say anything to put your mind at rest!

2Tizwoz · #3 26-09-05, 19:11

Have you paid them yet ?

jh001ace · #4 26-09-05, 19:27

Sounds like the rigging company has got its orders mixed up and you've got someone elses bits! I trust you have run these questions past the supplier.

Talbot · #5 26-09-05, 20:00

I agree with the other posters - dont pay these people until you are happy with the work.

Norman_E · #6 26-09-05, 20:29

I would also be concerned if clevis pins are much smaller than the originals. If the originals were correctly sized for the wire then smaller ones might be the weakest links in the rigging.

yoda · #7 26-09-05, 20:45

Sounds very wrong to me. If you specified like for like then that is what you should get. Hang on to your money and discuss with the company ASAP, you may need to fight your corner now but better than a mast coming down in the future.

Yoda

BradC · #8 26-09-05, 23:33

What happened at the agreement stage, was there a specification of the work to be carried out? How was the quotation worded? I think if you have this many concerns you may need to pay for professional advice. I recently had my standing rigging replaced and made sure I was involved in the choice of fitting and checked all the work before and after mast was re-stepped.

William_H · #9 27-09-05, 01:00

I can understand that you don't want to be " snowed" (is that an oz term) into believing that what they give you is good. You want to cnfirm what you suspect is that what they have supplied is not good enough.
The smaller sized clevis pins obviously is no good if the pins are smaller than the size of the bottle screws etc but I don't know if they will provide high wear point by being smaller. Possibly. Obviously smaller end fittings are lower strength.
Certainly thre use of fork end bottle screws in lieu of toggle ended screws is bad. The fork only allows for misalignment (or variation of approach angle) in one direction while a toggle will allow variation in 2 directions. Misalignment with a fork end will leave side pressure on the bottle screw thread bending it or causing stiffness.
The bottom line is regardless of whether it is strong enough if you are sailing beyond help in foul weather you don't want to have any doubts about the rigging. You need to be totally confident and if you are not then it will spoil your enjoyment. That in practice is what really matters> So tell em.
good luck olewill

JoeQ · #10 27-09-05, 08:36

Hi all,

As a general follow up, I paid 30% up front with 50% due on completion of installation (not paid yet) and the balance due on final tune under sail.

I have put all my concerns in writing to the company concerned and am waiting for their response.

One bit I forgot in my original post was that the furling foil has had about 6-8 inches hacksawed off as they said the new forestay terminals were now longer and interfered with it. Won't this affect the sail fitting?

Thanks for all the comments so far.