Attaching things to the standing rigging

[Jammer]

There are various things that one might want to attach to the shrouds or backstay:

1. A small antenna
2. The block for a flag halyard
3. Lights or light boards
4. A cleat for a boom tent
5. Radar
6. ...

There are various commercial brackets, clamps, and cleats for the purpose. However, some authorities indicate that there is a risk of weakening the standing rigging either from the point load of the clamping force itself or from the flexing that can occur, especially from attachment of heavier items.


To what extent are these attachment methods reasonable and safe?

[Cheechako]

I dont think it's an issue unless you really clamp down on the fittings. They dont need to be very tight really. Use galvanically compatible hardware.

[Jammer]

Here's an example of one of the commercial brackets.


Kato Marine

[TeddyDiver]

Originally Posted by Jammer

There are various things that one might want to attach to the shrouds or backstay:

1. A small antenna
2. The block for a flag halyard
3. Lights or light boards
4. A cleat for a boom tent
5. Radar
6. ...

There are various commercial brackets, clamps, and cleats for the purpose. However, some authorities indicate that there is a risk of weakening the standing rigging either from the point load of the clamping force itself or from the flexing that can occur, especially from attachment of heavier items.


To what extent are these attachment methods reasonable and safe?

I prefer anything but metal, DIY wooden block tied fast being the best

[svHyLyte]

Anything that retains moisture and can deprive the wire rigging of oxygen can significantly weaken the wire at the point of contact. I have attached rings, to which halyard blocks and cleats are attached with using seizing wire to good effect. A small seizing mallet ensures a tight wrap but one that will not retain moisture. Beyond the foregoing, I do not see the wisdom of attaching an antenna to standing rigging and would not do so, but different ships, different long splices, eh?

FWIW...

[toddster8]

I've been using small clamp-on cleats on the uppers to secure the flag halyards, but have toyed with the idea of making a wood pin-rail, secured with lashings as per Toss, on the lowers. Maybe even ratlines. A bit pretentious for my small boat maybe, but so what?

My 1971 (!) backstay has an original "topping lift" pigtail crimped onto it. The wires are distorted beneath the crimp, but it has been there for almost 50 years without issue. (Except for occasionally forgetting to disconnect it before hoisting!) Replacing everything this winter, though. Except that pigtail.

That reminds me... I was supposed to take some zip-lok bags out to the greenhouse (where the mast is stashed) to put all those small parts in. BRB

[roverhi]

Had a quit sturdy bronze clamp fitting that I used to fly the flag from the backstay. It was two plates with a groove for the wire, one Sid with an eye and the other a shorter plate with machine screw tapped into one side to clamp it in place. It worked great but haven't seen it
since I found it 40 years ago.

There was/is s a similar set up in SS but it was stamped with an unneeded crimp at right angle to the the wire where the wire passed through. If the clamp was tightened much at all the crimp distorts the wire. A good idea screwed up.

Have a spring clip that works for light stuff like a flag. The hook that attaches to the wire is curved for small diameter wire , 3/16" wire or smaller, and can be knocked off if you aren't careful.

[wsmurdoch]

Originally Posted by Jammer

Here's an example of one of the commercial brackets.


Kato Marine

I have a solar powered, 2nm, white anchor light similarly mounted, and I am not sure I like it. In some (thankfully rare) conditions it acts like a torsion pendulum twisting the backstay first clockwise then counterclockwise about a half a turn each way. It not only twists and untwists the backstay perhaps to the detriment of the backstay, it also comes out of plumb as it rotates around the non-vertical backstay compromising its range.

Bill

[CFS Klopas]

I tried a few different spring clips, couldn't get them to work. It seems they need to be designed for the exact thickness of your wire.

Instead, I use polypropylene or nylon string and a Blake's Hitch. The knot was designed to support human weight by lashing to a static line for arborist work.

An issue I had with this was the extra windage from the attached object putting a cyclic load on the turnbuckle, working it loose. Just need to be careful that's secured.

[Dusty Mac]

I use a couple of Crosby clips to attach my radar reflector to the backstay. You can get them in stainless or galvanized.
https://www.thecrosbygroup.com/produ...re-rope-clips/


I use one above and one below to hold it in place.

[oilystain]

Utilities attach all manner of things to a similar wire cable with no ill effect. From the strand, terminals, cases, lashing wire, etc are all attached. Usually a car hits the poles and breaks all of the attachments before the clamps have any ill effect.

[Gene Neill]

Originally Posted by toddster8

That reminds me... I was supposed to take some zip-lok bags out to the greenhouse ...

Wow, I really thought that was going in another direction.