Method for replacing chainplates and standing rigging

[wunderluster]

I plan to replace all of the chainplates and standing rigging while at the dock. I know it is ideal to haulout and pull the stick but in an effort to save money I need to do it at the dock and still liveaboard.

My concern is how many chainplates/rigging wires can be pulled at the same time? The mast is keel stepped. The boat is a CSY 33. I have two lowers and one upper shroud on each side plus a split backstay. The forestay was replaced last year when I had a new roller furler installed.

Can I pull one lower from each side? Both from one side? etc... Can I use halyards for support in place of the rigging. Maybe the topping lift in place of the backstay?

I know this has been done many times so please give me your method that worked.

Thanks,

David

[Nicholson58]

Use the Halyards as temporary stays. If you have doubts, ask for a rigger to give you some advice. Loads on the rig are low with sails off so you can get away with almost anything. Our mast is stiff enough it will free stand with NO stays but it creeps me out. (keel stepped). I just did our shroud plates in Grade 5 titanium.
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I suggest you stay one side/zone and do all in that area at one time.

[roverhi]

I've replaced the uppers with just the lowers in place. Pulled one chainplate at a time and used a halyard to replace the shroud when I went aloft to pull the wire and replace it. You probably could pull all the lowers to replace the chainplates. Replacing wires, might want to do 1/2 at one time. If got one of those spaghetti noodle triple spreader rigs, might want to be more diligent about supporting with halyards.

[rebel heart]

Some basics:

- Support the boom with a brace when taking off the forestay.
- Ease tension on the opposite one you loosen. If you pop the forestay, loosen the backstay two turns (the exact amount depends) You don't want them wobbly, but not stiff either.
- Pop one at a time.
- Most people use halyards as temporary stays, but it's generally not needed.
- It's fine to be spooked out about the process.
- You can use your topping lift, depending on how it's fit, for a back stay (and shroud).

I doubt you would ever do this, but just to make it abundantly clear to anyone who finds this thread in the future: do not secure any part of the rigging including temporary stays to the dock. I saw it done; fortunately it just ripped the block off the mast but it was still gross and needed to get repaired by a metal fabricator.

[Pblais]

I would agree with Rebel Heart. We replaced my forestay in the water with nothing done and that included the rigger going up the stick. Forestays would be the harder thing to deal with. If it's blowing a gale and you wouldn't go up the stick then - don't! You really can't handle two at a time so don't bother. One at a time is no problem if you lower the sails.