Synthetic standing rigging

[Paul L]

Take a look at the Precourt stuff for some reasonably priced, innovative synthetic rigging solutions. I'm going to setup a removable inner stay using their stuff.
Precourt Systems - Internationally recognized for our synthetic rigging systems

Paul L

[roblanford]

I looked at the precort site and 1 shroud for a farrier 31 with the optional UV protection is over $800. Thats not so bad!

[Pblais]

UV protection for all this high tech fiber is not optional unless you keep the boat in a garage all the time.

[Paul L]

The UV protection is an added protection beyond the basic UV designed to get you a few more years of use.

I did not mean to imply that the synthetic rigging was cheap and ready for the average sailor. For certain specific applications on cruising boats it is a reasonable choice. If you compare prices when you include all the end fittings, it can be comparable, and give some advantages. Rod certainly isn't cheap either, but is used on a lot of cruising boats these days. I certainly wouldn't have spec a cruising boat with synthetic rigging at this point, but I sure would take advantage of modern fiber where applicable.

Paul L

[Amgine]

When looking over a mfg's website recently I ran across a cost comparison of dynex w/dead eyes vs stainless with turnbuckles, and the dynex (7 yrs UV at tropical) came out about $40 cheaper on a 50' cap shroud. That's not a huge savings, but the fact it's even close to par with stainless suggests that with its additional benefits it becomes more attractive than stainless.

But, again, that's comparing for new construction, or complete replacement.

[Maren]

Originally Posted by Roy M

I'll have a better answer in February after I've switched over to synthetics. My boat is a 40' Searunner trimaran. Fritz Richardson of Pacific Offshore Riggers is working with me to overhaul my whole rig. Fritz has had significant offshore multihull experience, once owned a sister ship to mine, and will be owning another multi in the near future. We will be converting to reduce weight aloft and improve performance. I am already using Amsteel blue for my steering cables. I love it. It's easy to work with, it's compatible with standard turnbuckles, it's light and strong and holds up to wearing on the sheaves. And since I can buy stuff at commercial rates, it's not ridiculously priced. This coming summer I will be testing everything in the Santa Barbara Channel, sailing to weather all afternoon in high winds and punishing seas, retreating to a quiet cove on Santa Cruz Island in the evening to lick my wounds and clean up the vomit, etc., then off again the next day. I'll keep this up until stuff gets stowed correctly, gear stops breaking, or I run out of strength, money or companionship. Then I'll get back to you with my findings.

So, ummm, time for that status report?

[Amgine]

<chuckle> I've been hoping someone would revive this or another synthetic rig thread... We need some real-life experiences.

[jaga]

Whether your agree with it for replacing your standing rigging or not, it is a great tool in the 'emergency repair kit' catagory. A few hundred feed don't take up much room (much less than a coil of spare 1x19), can be spliced into an eye quickly, and used to replace a broken shroud to get you home. While my standing rigging is 1 x 19, I use Amsteel for my running backs, and for lifelines with a dacron cover.
Great stuff.

Scot

[Roy M]

Um, Maren....... Did I say WHICH February? Time has a way of slipping past us. I haven't begun, yet, on the rigging. I haven't been slacking, just distracted by other projects that seemed higher priority. I've rationalized it by telling myself I'm still designing and planning. Any port in a storm. The truth is much closer to trying to finish the exterior of the boat (including the next up project, the hard dodger) before doing the rig. And to further compound the rationalization, to decide if I want to go with a full batten main or continue with the traditional rig. The total cost of overhauling the mast and rigging is large enough to cause me to pause and reflect on priorities of expenditures. I'm vain enough to want to have a shiny cabintop to go along with the repainted hulls. I realize that I'm really rambling now, desperately searching for a convincing rationale for not doing what really needs to be done to make WILDERNESS a speedier sailboat. But, shine is shine, and sometimes that trumps reason and good sense. Check with me later, though. I deeply appreciate that someone is holding me accountable for my fantasies.