You could consider buying a LED electric distress light instead, which will last you a lifetime. Few places on the planet have such a devoted, diverse, and downright joyful yacht racing season as the island read more, Ive never laughed so hard as I have on some of my charters, but its typically only funny after the fact. Also, you'll have plenty of time doing odd jobs yourself, since you'll be living on the boat. If you use your batteries extensively, they will most likely need replacing after 3-4 years, for example, for liveaboards or full-time cruisers. [advertisement]. If the leeward shroud flops around underway, the constant flexing will weaken the metal over time and make it more prone to fail. NEW FLAT SCREEN 43' TV IN THE SALON - 2019. Just tell us the best email address to send your tips to: Improve Sailing Read more on boat engine replacement costs here. The Netherlands A boat spending most of the last 10 years on a trailer with the mast in a cradle has only corrosion to consider. 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. 3. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission, which supports our community. Leave each line with extra length, and coil the lines up. Next check the back and forestay fittings where they connect to the mast, ensuring any clevis pins are straight and secure. Mount the masts. Every sailboat has an Out Haul and a Down Haul. Enough tape to cover a cotter pin suffices; otherwise, leave the metal open to the air. For an average 40-foot boat, Cockerill estimates about $100 per foot to re-rig with wire rigging ($4,000), as well as the round-trip cost to haul and launch the boat and unstep and step the rig (an additional $2,500 or so). If you're like me, and not so lucky to live in Florida, you need to winterize your 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. (Deck-stepped masts are less prone to corrosion as the foot of the mast is open to the air and can dry quickly.) All you need is two blocks (pulley attachments) attached forward on both sides, ideally near the toerail, and enough line to run from the boom attachment up to the blocks on each side and then back to the cockpit. 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. Youll need about 500 feet for an average 30 footer. You cannot use a mechanical fitting on rod rigging. 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. It wears with time due to UV exposure, flogging, strain from the wind, and regular use. Ensure you keep hold of the standing end so it doesn't disappear to the top of the mast. The former need careful scrutiny and often sustain damage from misalignment. On top of that, maintaining your boat properly is critical. 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. The mechanical terminals most commonly used by DIY riggers are Sta-Lok and Norseman terminals. So you don't want them on there. Over time, UV exposure weakens the fibers and eventually, even the slightest friction will cause chafe that will damage and break the fibers of the cover. For each diameter of rigging wire your boat requires drill a hole that size near the corner of the block. For docklines a 27 ft. boat would use 1/2" nylon: 25' bow, 15' stern, and 20' spring. Since each one is 34' and then add another 6-10 to be safe? Would you replace this? It's also called antifouling paint because it helps to protect your hull from weeds, barnacles, and so on. I'm the owner of ImproveSailing. 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. The benefits of rod are less stretch, less weight, less windage, and arguably longer life than wire, because theres less possibility for corrosion of the rod itself. Most people need 2 risers + 2 exhaust manifolds. The theory is that youve crushed it so tightly that all the wires inside have just merged into one solid piece of stainless, Madden says. It's about a days worth of work. We offer a full range of sailing lines to replace any or all the running rigging on your boat such as halyards, sailboat sheets or control lines. Copyright 2023 ImproveSailing.com These specific components likewise reinforce the spars against increased loads when wind interacts . The task of replacing the standing rigging on a sailing yacht may seem daunting but there is a procedure to follow that can make it a relatively straight forward process for anyone who is reasonably practical. Well, for starters, I'd recommend doing most small maintenance yourself and ignore all non-essential. I've read that the inner stays rarely snap. Learn all about the dangers of failing to winterize here. 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 wire itself rarely fails midway along a shroud, so this makes good sense. I'm on Lake Michigan. Some have an extra light sheet for real light winds so the sheet doesnt weigh the jib down. I'll agree that most of the kinks were created during stepping or prepping for storage. When I thought about it this way, it seemed easy to give ourselves 20 years of confidence for our Lake Erie boat, rather than take the risk of waiting. The cost of replacing the standing rigging is, on average, $4,000 every 10 years. The annual maintenance cost is $2,000 - $3,000 for most boats, but the actual total annual cost is $3,000 to $7,000. The cost to replace standing rigging obviously varies from boat to boat. The average maintenance cost will be roughly $255 dollars per month for boats under 30' or just under $3,000 per year. WE SHIP WORLDWIDE: More Info. 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. Technical support for boat owners and maintenance yards servicing Sabre sail and motor yachts | Sabre Yachts Technical Support Contacts in Sabre's After Sales Service Department may be reached by calling 207-655-3831 or by filling in the contact form. Every five to six years, the mast should be pulled out of the boat so all fittings and wire or rod can be carefully inspected. 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. How much does a used sail cost? Inboard engine (and generator) starters cost from $40 - over $1,000 depending on the engine. For an average 40-foot boat, Cockerill estimates about $100 per foot to re-rig with wire rigging ($4,000), as well as the round-trip cost to haul and launch the boat and unstep and step the rig (an additional $2,500 or so). Sailors' hands are busy with the running rigging most on a sailboat. So youve determined your sailboats standing rigging needs work. A little less than the semi-circular groove on the sheave (or pulley).Generally its not strength issue for diameter but rather thick enough to be easily handled. A good set of rigging is of great importance in order to ensure navigation without causing any damage. Remove the clevis pins at each end if you haven't already, replace the old cable with the new cable, and reinstall the clevis pins. That said, some sailors prefer wire over rod for a number of reasons. Standing rigging are the cables that support the mast. The former requires someone with a swage machine to fit terminals, the latter you can fit yourselfwith care. Give us a call, and we can give you a rough quote. All standing rigging, whether rod or wire, has to end in a fitting that attaches to the deck and mast. How do you know when its time to re-rig? Mechanical fittings can be applied using a few common hand tools by the mechanically handy DIY sailor, which is one reason theyre popular. 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. Hi, I'm Shawn, and when I was 2 years old, I was sailing (with my parents) on the English Channel during a proper storm (and by proper I mean something along the lines of force 10). Then we head over to Bacon Sails and Marine Supplies for a tu. and about a 200 anchor .line. Below, I'll go over four different situations and explain what type of maintenance you'll most likely will and won't do, and what the price tag is for each situation. Sta-Set X is an ideal. Three strand is referable and less expensive than braid for dock and anchor lines also a lot easier to splice. 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 . They might have swollen, so the new will appear to be a smaller gauge. First the desired end fitting is chosen (left), and the fitting is slid onto the end of the wire (center). There is no hard and fast rule for "when" to replace your running rigging. It is comprised of fixed lines, wires, or rods that are designed to support each mast or bowsprit on sailing vessels. The Out Haul can be simply a single line the pulls the foot of the sail toward the free end of the boom or the Out Haul can consist of an elaborate arrangement of blocks. 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. 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. For a small boat (under 30 feet), you can expect to pay anywhere from $500 to $2000 for standing rigging replacement. These boats have less moving parts and less critical parts. Another factor in your DIY decision-making process is simple: peace of mind. Modelers Central guide you through the importance it adds to the beauty of your finished model. The cost of replacing the standing rigging is, on average, $4,000 every 10 years. Allow at least a foot for each splice or knot. Likewise, if you already have wire with fittings that accommodate your boat and mast, stick with wire. The only thing we can really do is regularly inspect lines to look for wear. (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.). Inexpensive, double-braid Dacron is a fine choice for furling lines on most boats shorter than 40 feet. Do you want to earn money to write on our website? Running the halyards Both the Jib and Main halyards are purple , high-load, Marlow Spectra line. . Read more on the average cost to replace a boat starter here. 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. To avoid excessive wear, make sure your halyard sheaves are the proper type for whatever line you select. A swaged fitting is a terminus thats attached using a machine called a swager. While its often difficult to know whether, say, a swaged terminal is in good condition, there are a few common signs of possible failure to look for. And never forget the golden rule: if in doubt, sling it out. Get it wrong, and your boat could wind up on the beach in a bad blow. The breaking strength of this line is now significantly reduced. Saltwater is a lot more corrosive, and the stress on your rigging and sails will be higher. Labor total: $1,000 on average The latter may indicate two things: one, that its simply surface rust, which you should be able to polish off, or two, that as the wire was being manufactured, a strand might have picked up some contamination during the process and is compromised, which is cause for concern. 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. This one didnt. The three most commonly used types of attachments are swaged and mechanical fittings for wire, and cold heads for rod. Marlow Ropes in the UK produce Marlowbraid. Your engine will wear out faster, and you'll need more incidental repairs as well. JavaScript is disabled. Why do you want to suddenly replace all your running rigging? Since then I've enjoyed sailing very much - and I've never been afraid of the water again. By taking on the labor yourself, youll probably save as much as $2,000 on the re-rigging cost, he says. 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. Use nylon 3-Strand for anchor, dock, mooring and tow lines or polyester 3-strand for running rigging on traditional cruising boats. Included in every new DragonFlight 95 v2 kit : v2 DF95 Rigging Instructions. [1] 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. Clean and lubricate them, then refasten them, and remember to mouse them with new galvanized wire and tape over the ends to avoid chafe. Double Braid: A braided core inside a braided cover. Make Wire cutting Jig. Learn all about the dangers of failing to winterize here. rigbos.com our online store is a progression allowing us to more effisantly supply customer Members of ABYC . For those with external halyard blocks, check to make sure all lines run freely and that block bearings arent worn. For over 40 years we have specialized in manufacturing standing rigging for all of the major sailboat manufacturers nationwide. Listing Results for Shore Support & Services, Sailing & Rigging and ENG1 Medical Certificate in Marans, Levallois Perret and Cap D'Agde The installation of the engine will cost a few hundred to a couple of thousand dollars. A forum community dedicated to Sailing enthusiasts. ImproveSailing is compensated for referring traffic and business to this companies. This site is owned and operated by Truly Content. 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. On this eye splice, the core has herniated out of the cover. When youre happy everything is in place, its time to tune your rig. we have provided rigging services and have specialized in running rigging. Wendy Mitman Clarke is currently between passages. For my 41 feet sloop, I did most of the installation myself and paid approximately $4700 for the entire rig replacement. Hardwood would be best but we used epoxied plywood and it was adequate. 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. For sheets, if you're happy with the length take the old ones off determine the gauge and and match them up. 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. Get all your parts together. Your first thought may be to replace this old stuff with some of the bright new high tech line you can find in your local chandlery. Ground tackle is a complete system, including the anchor itself, the rode (chain, rope, or some combination thereof, read more, French builder Dufour Yachts has rolled out another new design bringing their line to eight models from 32 to 61 feet. The November 1969 Modern Boating magazine . It has a synthetic stay with an eye splice, a toolless turnbuckle (the Handy Lock, made by C. Sherman Johnson), quick-release fast pins with an attached lanyard, several high-strength Dyneema loops, and even a heavy-duty zip tie to fish loops in and out of holes in a mast. The running rigging consists of all the lines, sheets, and so on that is used to haul and operate the sails. Privacy Policy, Improve Sailing helps you to make your sailing dream actionable, by writing in-depth articles on practical questions. You can also use sacrificial covers to protect halyards from clutch damage,. If in doubt, get a professional opinion. Generally, end fittings fall into a few classes: studs, eyes, forks and hooks, each of which comes in a dizzying array of sizes and configurations. A dormant maneuver has both ends fixed at each end. The customer had had the boat re-rigged, and during a trip to the BVI, the new wire stretched. Kinks in wire is like chafe on a line. Although anyone can walk into a local chandlery and buy wire, that doesnt mean the wire is of the highest quality. The Down Haul consists of a line attached to the mast end of the boom. Replacing your old worn out or damaged standing rigging is a crucial requirement to insure your safety and the safety of others. A boat with sound supports should not require re-tuning in less than 5 years. SKIRMISH was built for Clarence Noble in Brisbane. All rights reserved. Regardless of what fittings you currently have the choice for multi-stranded wire rigging is between swaged terminals or mechanical fittings. Outboard starters run from about $100 - $500. You can take a masthead halyard from side to side to ensure that the masthead is on center. 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. Overall condition is good with some kinks here and there. Assuming you have decided to replace the rigging wire as well as a number of other components, the first decision is whether to do it with the mast up or down. Our selection runs the gamut, from economical polyester single- and double-braids to high-tech, low-stretch line made from materials such as Dyneema, Spectra, Technora, Kevlar and Vectran. Run the shrouds and attach them to the deadeyes on the hull. The total maintenance cost for a bluewater cruiser will average around $3,225 per year or $269 per month. In the past, long-distance cruisers typically chose wire rigging with mechanical fittings for all of these reasons. Now, let's return to the original proposition, which was a complete replacementon three different cost levelsof basic running rigging for a 32 sloop. What would be the maintenance cost if you were on a tight budget? There are some question as to whether or not you should replace your turnbuckles along with the wire. Consider this a half inch diameter Samson Tech-12 (12 Strand Technora) line has an average breaking load of 33,000 pounds. Check and make sure the sheaves run freely, that the bearings are not worn oval and that the retaining pins are secure. Hed estimate more like $4,600 for a 40-foot boat, but all of these numbers depend on how much is involved: Are there furlers? Still a lot of people single braid nylon for docklines, its a little more flexible. 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).