taking the mast down?

[flopresti]

I have a j40, 1989. Navtec rod rigging, mast sits on the keel. 10 yrs ago the mast was taken down and some sheaves relaced. 5 yrs ago, a good rigger went up and said all was OK. Boat is not raced.
Should I have the rigging rechecked / taken down? before a month of summer cruising between NewPort and Chesapeake? I would rather wait taking it down for next season....

[Kettlewell]

No, don't take it down. But, I would go up and visually check everything, or pay a rigger to check it if you want. I give my rig a visual check several times each season, but I have mast steps.

[Geoduck]

It wont hurt to send someone aloft to survey the rig - for the little it will cost you, it is good insurance - you never know!

[Jim Cate]

Well, from memory Navtech recommends that you pull the rod rigging and have it x-rayed EVERY YEAR! Not many folks other than serious racers do that, but really, at the age of your rig I would want a good check before trusting it.

Rod rigging is good stuff... usually made from Nitronic 50 alloy which is pretty immune to crevice corrosion and the other ails of 304/316 stainless. None the less, it does sometimes develop cracks, usually at the terminals, and when it fails it does so suddenly and catastrophically.

Your choice...

Cheers,

Jim