⛵ Advanced sails 👁 5 views

Standing Rigging Replacement Assessment

🛠 Tools & Materials Needed

Wire cutters swage tool or Sta-Lok fittings torque wrench rigging wire turnbuckles cotter pins rigging tape bosun chair safety harness

1

Inspect all swage fittings carefully for cracks, corrosion, and "meat hook" broken strands at the terminal.
2

Replace standing rigging every 10 years regardless of appearance, or sooner if any issues are found.
3

Measure all shroud and stay lengths before removal; photograph the rig setup.
4

Use a bosun chair to inspect the upper portions of the rig if not visible from deck.
5

When replacing, start with forestay: release furler, support the mast, remove old forestay.
6

Install new forestay, ensuring correct length and pin diameter.
7

Work systematically: cap shrouds, uppers, lowers, backstay.
8

Re-tension rig per specifications: most fractional rigs use 15-25% of wire breaking load.
9

Check mast rake and adjust backstay for desired sailing characteristics.
10

Sea trial and re-check tension after 10 hours of sailing as new wire settles.