Bent wire - cause for concern?

[khaine]

Hi Everyone!

First post and really excited to join the group here.

I am looking to purchase my first sailboat and have found one that checks most of the boxes: a 2006 Catalina 250 WB. After checking it out in person, I noticed that two of the rigging wires (the backstay and a shroud) appear to be bent a few inches before they enter the turnbuckles - photos attached. Is this cause for concern or nothing to worry about?

I plan to get a survey done but don't want to go ahead with that if it's going to be a big issue.

Sorry the first picture is blurry

[Hesti]

Yes, should be replaced. Likely a few hundred. It is pretty common. There are owners who just straighten the wire, but the right thing is to replace. Because some strands in the wire had been plastified and then, as long as the bent was there, the strands did not all take the same load as they should but some took more and some less. Remaining life on the ones that took more load is reduced and that ends up to remaining life of the whole wire in that area is reduced.

[boatpoker]

"Plastified" ... LOL

Don't worry about it go sailing

[Orion Jim]

They should be replaced as their physical integrity has been compromised. Really not an item to be made light of and they can be replaced for less than 400 bucks. Consider them a bargaining chip when making your offer.

[Wotname]

Originally Posted by boatpoker

"Plastified" ... LOL

Don't worry about it go sailing

Dunno about "Plastified" but the bent SS wire will work harden at the bend point and will never fully straighten. Even bending it back 'into shape' further work hardens the strands.

Yeah, it it probably oversized to begin with but it will now be weaker regardless. Will it be problematic, maybe not but maybe...

[Lake-Effect]

I don't think that the stays on a Catalina 250 WB usually have a heavy load on them, but you could always borrow a tension gauge, then see if the actual tension is significant for the size of shroud wire used.

It's not a big issue IMHO, but it's definitely worth bringing up as a bargaining point. Point it out to the surveyor.

We also own a trailer-sailor, and the shrouds do get banged around a lot, if you like to trailer to different spots. I think there's 1 of 4 turnbuckles on our boat that's not slightly bent. Ahem.

[Nicholson58]

Plastification happens to bendified crapalloy.

Cables are not large I guess. Probably less than $400. Easy enough to ask a rigger for an opinion and price.

[Nicholson58]

Just get one of these and make your own.

[GordMay]

Greetings and welcome aboard the CF, khaine.

I'd also view the bent cables as a deficiency, to be counted against the price.
Not a fatal flaw.

[Gudgeon]

I wouldn't call it a deal breaker but would replace the wires. I would have they surveyor note and ask for them to be replaced or a credit for the amount to replace.

[petermjdavies]

How old is the standing rigging? Close to 10 years, replace.

Your insurers will be happy.

[Cheechako]

It's a minor bend for SS. I like the kink as it enters the swaged end fitting less. The wire itself should be fine. But I'd just have the seller replace it. Trailered boat?

[khaine]

Thanks for the comments everyone!

I was able to reach out to a local rigger as well. His opinion was that it wasn’t a serious issue but is something that should be checked regularly (and likely replaced in the next few years). He said it was fairly common on trailerable boats whose masts are raised and lowered frequently. He recommended leaving it as is and not trying to straighten it as that could weaken it further.