Standing Rigging Replacement - How Frequently?

[doctorbill]

What is the range of cost for a full standing rig replacement on say a sloop rigged 40-45 footer? Does it make a difference if boat is floating or on the hard?

[Boatguy30]

Originally Posted by Marekaofholland

We dail a 1994 Oyster 49. Only coastal sailingbinbthe Med. I check every season the Rigging and once every two years have acorifesdional rigger do the same. I checked with my insurance to make sure they are ok with me not renewing the Rigging. So far so good and no need to replace a still perfect rigging

Out of curiosity, do you have that in writing?

I seriously doubt any insurer will payout a claim not seriously deprecated on a nearly 30 y/o rig in a 50’ boat.

[Boatguy30]

Originally Posted by doctorbill

What is the range of cost for a full standing rig replacement on say a sloop rigged 40-45 footer? Does it make a difference if boat is floating or on the hard?

6-8k if done with mast up.

[44'cruisingcat]

I've just bought replacement 1x19 ss standing rigging for our boat. Replacing wire and swaged on terminals only, not the rigging screws. At 11 years our insurance company, Topsail, requires this to continue to cover the rig.

Cost was Au$2300. From Bluewave, so not Chinese.

Going to do it myself, wire by wire with the mast standing, boat beached.

[col50]

Originally Posted by BillKny

The issue with stainless steel rigging wires and other stainless steel parts is that for all practical purposes it is not possible to inspect an aging system and confirm that it is still in satisfactory condition within original design load specifications

Therefore, it is a crapshoot on when to replace the wires. Conservative sailors use 10 to 15 years for rigs used in salt water. Rigs used less, in less salty water, and in colder water all last longer. How much longer? I don't know. I do know tht all smart sailors who cross oceans and count on their boats to stay alive are by nature conservative.

When ever the topic of when to replace rigging comes up, there will soon be somebody posting here who claims they have rigging that is 40 years old and they have no plans to replace it anytime soon. Reminds me of the old George Carlin joke, "I'm planning on living forever.... So far... so good!"

You can always have it tested. From what I remember, this is usually done to 40% of breaking strength.

[BBill]

Its already been said...there are too many variables to pinpoint the longest safe timeframe. 10-15 yrs seems to work in Florida climes, especially if you swap ends every yr or two. Wire and terminals are compromised a LONG time before you can visually see it. "Experienced" riggers who say they can see the wire is sound aren't really "experienced" or they would know better. The only thing they can see is corrosion, cracks, damage, staining, etc. The hidden damage they don't see can bite you just as bad. I had a lower of unknown age part in a 30-40kt blow and it looked perfect, as in bright, shiny and no visible stains or corrosion...it was 316. Also had "perfect" looking wire start breaking strands when coiled in a loose 4' coil during a rewire on a 12 yr old Pearson and it cruised south Fl and Bahamas for several yrs prior. To me standing rigging is the wrong place to save a buck...one mast down taught me a lesson.

[ColIn Ferguson]

I recently had the standing rigging on my 16 yo Beneteau 423 replaced in a yard in Turkey. The riggers seemed very professional and accomplished. Charged a high price for German 316 s/s.
What a disaster. The foresail furler was not replaced properly and jammed while underway. I then found a series of fasteners were not done up properly and started finding bolts lying on deck. A bolt fell out the furling drum and when I finally realised the low level of competence that had been applied and checked everything properly I found the main fasteners on the forestay were only finger tight. The wind instruments were not working and when I checked the wiring reconnections at the mast base they were into a domestic connector block, un-insulated and the co-axial shielding just twisted together.
There is some merit in the maxim that if it ain't broke, don't fix it.

[mitiempo]

Originally Posted by ColIn Ferguson

I recently had the standing rigging on my 16 yo Beneteau 423 replaced in a yard in Turkey. The riggers seemed very professional and accomplished. Charged a high price for German 316 s/s.
What a disaster. The foresail furler was not replaced properly and jammed while underway. I then found a series of fasteners were not done up properly and started finding bolts lying on deck. A bolt fell out the furling drum and when I finally realised the low level of competence that had been applied and checked everything properly I found the main fasteners on the forestay were only finger tight. The wind instruments were not working and when I checked the wiring reconnections at the mast base they were into a domestic connector block, un-insulated and the co-axial shielding just twisted together.
There is some merit in the maxim that if it ain't broke, don't fix it.

Or do it yourself.

Just because someone charges for the work does not mean that they know what they are doing.

[SV_Galateia]

Will the insurance companies accept a DIY rigging replacement or do they want a professional rigger to perform the work? Copy if the invoice as proof of work.

[DeValency]

Originally Posted by doctorbill

What is the range of cost for a full standing rig replacement on say a sloop rigged 40-45 footer? Does it make a difference if boat is floating or on the hard?

Just completed an order to my 43’ Contest with a complete replacement of the entire original Selden standing rigging. Only approached well reputable riggers I know for years. The quotes range was $3,800-5,700 for the materials and work, not including the unmasting removal from the mast and the pricy boatyard fees.
The cost depends on the number of shrouds you actually have. In my case 11.... 4 on each side, forestay, cutter stay and backstay plus two running stays... Also adding stalok fittings on all lower connectors and all new turnbuckles.

So for a standard Beneteau for example, the cost can be much lower with fewer shrouds (6 or so) and much less hardware.

As for on the hard or in the water, what matters the most is the crane access. Also some riggers may not go up mast if the boat is on the hard.

[fxykty]

Originally Posted by SV_Galateia

Will the insurance companies accept a DIY rigging replacement or do they want a professional rigger to perform the work? Copy if the invoice as proof of work.

We replaced our standing rigging (relatively simple - only forestay and two cap shrouds, plus a couple of running backstays) using parts purchased from suppliers and installed ourselves and help from a rigger with mast bolts and tangs installation. Through our broker, our insurance company asked for all the parts invoices (to confirm age of standing rigging) and a rig inspection certificate (to confirm competent installation). No need for professional installation.

The wording in our policy says that standing rigging older than ten years will not be covered.

[mitiempo]

This video is interesting. At the beginning he states that the Coast Guard requires rigging replacement at 6 years in Florida or the tropics and 12 years in great lakes areas on inspected boats.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bk2A60ymfB0

The whole video is good.

[Atcowboy]

Originally Posted by Briggers

Insurance companies rely on numbers, they have stats for everything you can imagine. Ask them how many chainplates have been mentioned in a claims report and they can tell you.

The fact that rigging might not be mentioned in an insurance policy just means it isn't a significant risk - for them.

For you on your boat, in the middle of the Atlantic, risk has an entirely different perspective.

I would assume that when an insurance company says rigging they mean everything.

• Standing lines
• Swaged, compression, or spliced ends
• eyes, turnbuckles, toggles/pins, cotters
• chain plates, mast connection points, all fasteners
• immediate surrounding area to any connection point

I can't imagine any self respecting insurance company that has stated they want the rigging to be <10 years old paying out for damages caused by a rigging failure where brand new standing lines ripped out 10+ year old chain plates.

We must remember, an insurance company is a scheme were you are sold air (the belief you will be compensated financially) and they make their money by doing all they can to not do that.

- AT

[Atcowboy]

Originally Posted by mitiempo

Or do it yourself.

Just because someone charges for the work does not mean that they know what they are doing.

The definition of a professional is getting paid for it. That's it.

Read that again.

Quality is not an inclusive property of professional.

- AT

[boatman61]

Originally Posted by Boatguy30

Then you probably won’t get insurance which sorta answers the original question

Why.??? Square rRggers don't use stainless neither do Thames Barges or the old 100ft fishing boats converted into sail training vessels.. they all need insurance and get it just fine.
All of the sailing working shellfish dredgers along the South coast use galvanized wire.. they also need insurance.. functionality and economy tops pretty, pretty..