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. You should be mechanically inclined, he says, and the way to find that out is if I start talking all this technical jargon and you decide whether youre suited to handle that at all.. A sailboat doesn't have to be expensive if you know what you're doing. Marlow Ropes in the UK produce Marlowbraid. This was most likely caused by something sharp and pointy that poked through the cover and caught on the core. This halyard definitely needs to be replaced. 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.). The breaking strength of this line is now significantly reduced. Theres such a safety margin in rigging. Exhausted In Singapore, For All the Wrong Reasons, Cruising World Takes Multiple Honors in Annual Writing and Photography Contest. There is minor chafe on all sides of the line and along the entire length. A prudent sailor should inspect his or her standing rig at least once each season and should know when the time comes to replace most or all of it. Every time I think Ive seen it all, my people outdo themselves and serve up the unexpected. [1] Batteries have a limited number of charge cycles. It's the best way to protect your boat in wintertime, period. 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. Die testing wont pick it up, and its rare that a wire will give you warning before breaking.. Listing Results for Sailing & Rigging and ENG1 Medical Certificate in Marans, Levallois Perret and Cap D'Agde Account. If in doubt, get your deck buddy to rig temporary stays using the halyards and check each stayone at a timewith it slackened off. For all of these reasons, most riggers agree that when your sailboats standing rigging approaches 15 years old, its a good time to consider replacing it. Buy some light line and run it as you would your sheets and halyards and measure that. 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? Most people starting out will get a smaller size boat and use it for day trips and weekend trips. 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. Splices should be made by a professional, high tech line is very difficult to cut. Tag each line with a sticker noting which line it is. 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. The masthead is a good place to start, and while youre at it, its worth looking closely at the mast as well as the rigging, to see if any corrosion, cracks or weld defects are evident. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited. Parts total: $600 on average I think the owner needs to replace those but there's a Covid problem. Swaging is a strong and durable way to attach end fittings to wire rigging. Barnacles can slice through your boat's bellow! If you follow directions, they are fairly straightforward to install, although not especially easy. A detailed rig check takes no more than two hours or so to completeabout as long as it takes to provision the boat with a weeks food suppliesonly the result of not doing it can be a good deal more drastic! rigbos.com our online store is a progression allowing us to more effisantly supply customer Members of ABYC . Inexpensive, double-braid Dacron is a fine choice for furling lines on most boats shorter than 40 feet. I'm the owner of ImproveSailing. For docklines a 27 ft. boat would use 1/2" nylon: 25' bow, 15' stern, and 20' spring. Your subscription could not be saved. Installing the new standing rigging is simple for a trailer sailor after the mast is unstepped. 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. Not all maintenance is as important. Wire rigging is generally less expensive and easier to handle. Mechanical fittings can be applied using a few common hand tools by the mechanically handy DIY sailor, which is one reason theyre popular. Get all your parts together. Its imported and sold through distributors like Alps Wire Rope. Most people that own a sailboat will have to replace the sails and rigging at least once in their lifetime. 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. Since each one is 34' and then add another 6-10 to be safe? What is the average sailboat maintenance cost? 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. SailboatOwners.com, 605 NW 53rd Avenue, Gainesville, FL, 32609 This produces an easy-to-handle rope that is strong and durable. Replacing your Standing Rigging with Jimmy Green Marine. 3. 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. Now is a good time to install all new cotter pins or rings to leave no doubt as to the integrity of your connections. 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. Enough tape to cover a cotter pin suffices; otherwise, leave the metal open to the air. Winterization is an often-overlooked cost, but it can be one of the largest expenses each year. Theres a rule of thumb, but it varies rigger to rigger, says Steve Madden, co-owner of M Yacht Services in Annapolis and the head of its M Rigging division. 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. Sometimes it can be very obvious, but other times it is not. Send messengers up mast for in-mast rigging - 3/2018 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. Thus the standing rigging is made up of all the cables and . But not just any kind of sailing. 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. Please try again. 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. Boats used for coastal cruising, week ending or day sailing may go longer. You mean all together don't you? Run the shrouds and attach them to the deadeyes on the hull. Every sailboat has an Out Haul and a Down Haul. On this page you will find both rigging hardware and rigging tools. A running manoeuvre has a free end that can be acted upon. I think another factor to consider is how much of the "life time" of the rigging was spent with the boat in the water and the mast up. Riggers say the question of whether to rig with wire or rod is usually fairly easily answered: Run what you brung. 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 your standing rigging is . I personally take stock of a pleasure boat's components and their age and will not load an older boat's rigging as much as I would a newer one. Youre out there offshore and theres a squall coming and you start worrying about the craziest of things, and you dont want to have any unknowns. Thats especially true of the system that keeps the mast and sails up. Did you find the answer to your specific question? (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.). Rig inspections, rig replacement and rig upgrades is how we can help. On this site for example someone posted the specs for a Catalina 27 and they were bang on and agreed fully with the specs I got from the Catalina owners association. Now would also be a good time to change those old cotter pins and circlip rings as well. Learn all about the dangers of failing to winterize here. Preparing The Boat For Rigging. They might have swollen, so the new will appear to be a smaller gauge. Maybe dying or some other high tech test would. After that, you'll need to change them out. 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. Run the remaining standing rigging. Copyright 2023 ImproveSailing.com The three most commonly used types of attachments are swaged and mechanical fittings for wire, and cold heads for rod. Usually the owner's manual gives you the specifications of all the running and standing rigging. Do this by placing a wrap of tape 3 up from the upper chainplate pin hole on each upper shroud. 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). Double Braid: A braided core inside a braided cover. I'll explain how below. It is very flexible and easy to handle, and is still the line of choice for most applications on cruisers and club racers. 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. 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. All standing rigging, whether rod or wire, has to end in a fitting that attaches to the deck and mast. Replacement of the rigging components is more frequent and based on inspection. How do you know when its time to re-rig? For my 41 feet sloop, I did most of the installation myself and paid approximately $4700 for the entire rig replacement. The warm trade winds in the West Indies were calling; time to go sailing. So how often should standing rigging be replaced? Many products featured on this site were editorially chosen. Some of these might not apply to your situation. The customer had had the boat re-rigged, and during a trip to the BVI, the new wire stretched. USCG safety regulations require you to replace safety gear regularly. Stainless steel needs oxygen to prevent crevice corrosion, so dont overdo it with tape (left); enough to cover the cotter pin will suffice (center). Similarly, its easier to find usable replacement parts far from busy ports. To avoid you have to go cheap on your safety gear, I've put it in the budget for $500. So here are some tips and things to look for so that you can replace your running rigging before it breaks. The annual maintenance cost is $2,000 - $3,000 for most boats, but the actual total annual cost is $3,000 to $7,000. 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. If you're on a budget, you can maintain your boat reasonably well for just $1,000 / year. You cannot use a mechanical fitting on rod rigging. Do a few turns on one side before going to the other and applying an equal number. It's also called antifouling paint because it helps to protect your hull from weeds, barnacles, and so on. The only thing we can really do is regularly inspect lines to look for wear. It sounds to me that the question is when, not if you will go for new rigging. Seems like a lot for a 40' boat. That's a broad range, but if you know what you need for your boat, then you can get a better idea of the cost. 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. For a medium-sized boat (30-50 feet), the cost will be somewhere between $2000 and $4000. 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. Replacing electronics won't be very important - however, your batteries will need to be replaced more often. I have broken more than my share of components in newer boats while a lot less in older boats. If you're like me, and not so lucky to live in Florida, you need to winterize your boat. The biggest problem with rigging and older sailboat with high-tech lines to control the sails is that the lines are too strong for the boat. 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. Read more on the cost of antifouling your boat. These products sell from $1.00 to $2.50 per foot. We are a proud supplier of Yale Cordage. Click here for a full walkthrough with diagrams. The average maintenance cost will be roughly $255 dollars per month for boats under 30' or just under $3,000 per year. If you use your batteries extensively, they will most likely need replacing after 3-4 years, for example, for liveaboards or full-time cruisers. The easiest place to work on your rig is on the ground. I actually just replaced the outer turnbuckles. If you're hoisting the sail on land, make sure the bow of the boat is pointing towards the wind. The final price depends on two things - what type of engine you have, and how hard it is to get to the starter. And never forget the golden rule: if in doubt, sling it out. I'll also inquire about upgrading to one size up. Your boat will need bottom paint roughly every 2 years (could be longer, but to be safe, let's keep it at two). If you want to go for super low stretch halyards look at Spectra but the stretch isnt much more for a lot more bucks. There are so many variables in the system types of end fittings, types of masts, types of attachment points that each boat will have its own specific requirements that can affect cost. Although anyone can walk into a local chandlery and buy wire, that doesnt mean the wire is of the highest quality. For instance, for an offshore bluewater boat, Madden recommends 10 years, and for a serious coastal cruiser, more like 12. Chafe usually happens gradually over long periods of time and it is only a serious problem when it goes unnoticed. Do you want to earn money to write on our website? Kinks in wire is like chafe on a line. Inevitably. 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. This way you wont risk deforming the mast or pulling a fitting out of line. Mount the masts. 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. Learn all about the dangers of failing to winterize here. 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. 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. Another factor in your DIY decision-making process is simple: peace of mind. It wears with time due to UV exposure, flogging, strain from the wind, and regular use. Bluey Williams's yard was a cowshed in Lawnton near the North Pine River, on the northern side of Brisbane and inland from Redcliffe. Strong, durable lines are essential for controlling the sails on your boat without risking your own safety, or that of the sails. sailboats with inboard engine: $5,000 - $10,000, sailboats with outboard engine: $1,000 - $1,500, most powerboats (inboard engine): $15,000 - $35,000, small outboard engines (2-5 hp): $1,000 - $1,500, large outboard engines (100+ hp): $10,000+. Lastly, check your boom, starting with the gooseneck, mainsheet and vang fittings, where huge forces are applied when the rig is under load. I would think at the first notice of a few broken strands in more than two of the wires. So youve determined your sailboats standing rigging needs work. 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. Also, there are a lot of costs you can save on substantially if you do simple maintenance yourself or have a simple boat. Our sailboat running rigging includes sailboat mainsheets, sailboat halyards, and all major sailboat lines. You can also use sacrificial covers to protect halyards from clutch damage,. Low-cost tension gauges are now available and are a useful addition to your cruising toolbox anyway. 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. The most common location of chainplate failure is where one disappears into the deck and cant be inspected. 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.. Your sail area will most likely also be larger, which means your sail replacement will be more expensive. On a sailboat, a distinction is made between running rigging and standing rigging. To save you from surprises, here's a full overview of costs you can expect when owning a sailboat. Let's start by getting a good overview of the different maintenance costs. Standing rigging supports your boat's mast. Cut a square piece of wood about 3-4 on each side. Running Rigging & Cordage to Order . Lets say you ripped a tang out of the mast; you can use a Dyneema loop to create another attachment point. Youll need about 500 feet for an average 30 footer. Do disconnect them and inspect them very carefully for cracks on a well-lit workbench. Theres no real way of measuring that. Gas engines run for about 1,500 hours, diesel engines run for 5,000. 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). Cleat the halyard and pull it to the tape mark on one side . Its when the leeward side starts flopping around that youre asking for trouble., Stainless steel has a finite number of cycles essentially, movements, whether fore and aft or side to side. 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. Come join the discussion about sailing, modifications, classifieds, troubleshooting, repairs, reviews, maintenance, and more! This could be a marine eye, a marine fork, a T-head or a J-hook, among others. With the forestay removed, take the opportunity to fully service your headsail furling gear as well. Read more on the lifetime expectancy of marine diesels here. Today, with the advent of super-strong synthetic line such as AmSteel and Dyneema, the need for that extra wire and gear is eliminated. When the rig is tuned the wires are stretched. if it were wire you could get away for about half that price. Personally, Im in favor of it, but if you replace the standing rigging frequentlyevery 10 years, saythen it might not be necessary. These boats have less moving parts and less critical parts. The total maintenance cost varies a lot, depending on the following factors: Still, we want a general feel of what to expect. 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. If line is properly taken care of, it can last many decades. Regardless of what fittings you currently have the choice for multi-stranded wire rigging is between swaged terminals or mechanical fittings. Replacing the running rigging on your sailboat seems like it should be fairly simple, and a decade or two ago, it was. What would be the maintenance cost if you were on a tight budget? Check the deck around the chainplates and mast for cracking and delamination. You could consider buying a LED electric distress light instead, which will last you a lifetime. Most masts have integral sheaves, which are rarely serviced except when the mast is unsteppedoften only at five-year intervals. Most of my clients say to me without any prompting, This is one area I feel should be done by a professional, Madden says. Start by digging out the bosuns chair and finding a trusted (and hopefully fit) buddy to help you. splicing any of these high tech lines is not for the faint hearted. 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. Of course, if you have an outboard engine the installation price will be nothing more than a few drops of sweat, swearing, and back pain for a day or two. I used the Sta-Set solid color line to easily identify the lines. 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. Likewise, if you already have wire with fittings that accommodate your boat and mast, stick with wire. It's about a days worth of work. A boat spending most of the last 10 years on a trailer with the mast in a cradle has only corrosion to consider. 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. Prices for new boats typically range from $100,000 to $500,000. The reason it is a scheduled item is that a visual inspection prolly won't detect defects. If you need to replace the mast and boom, prepare to spend anywhere between $15,000 - $25,000. Don't forget that this site will also replace your rigging. A professional needs roughly 8 hours to get the job done. Too narrow for equivalent ropeshould be 10% wider than the diameter of the rope. The cost of replacing the standing rigging is, on average, $4,000 every 10 years. I ended up just replacing all of the standing rigging through rigginonly.com in Fairhaven Ma. WE SHIP WORLDWIDE: More Info. First the desired end fitting is chosen (left), and the fitting is slid onto the end of the wire (center). Free shipping on $90+! Deep cycle batteries (which are best for household functionality) need replacing every 4-6 years and will cost roughly $600. It's a really helpful post (with a formula) if you want to know what to expect. Masthead sloop, single spreader, 2 cap shrouds, 4 lowers, r/r forestay, single backstay. Sasker van Heringawei 16E 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. Have a feel for any rough or sharp edges, especially cotter pin ends that might chafe lines or sails. I use a 3D model and some diagrams. However, what you'll actually pay really depends on the type of boat you have and what you do with it. Included are halyards, main sheet, headsail sheets, and topping lift. This small cruiser is well built, easy to handle and relatively economical to maintain. I live in Friesland, The Netherlands, which is famous for its great lakes and lots of sailing opportunities. To the best of my knowledge it hasn't had a trailer until last year so the mast was up through the winter. Let me explain. The 150 Genoa sheets were 35 feet each as Faster suggests but my halyard lines, which are wire and rope were only 40 feet of rope. Chafe occurs when line rubs against a sharp or rough surface. 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. A third visual indicator are cracks in swaged fittings, some of the most common end fittings for wire. Their solidworks simulations revealed the rigging was on the lighter side. Read more on boat engine replacement costs here. I should have changed mine sooner than I did. With the tension off its a lot easier to waggle the terminal around and check closely for cracks, wear, distortion or corrosion.