Using Chain on Standing Rigging ?

[charliehows]

I've decided to replace my standing rigging on the mizzen with slightly shorter lengths of cable (8mm gal 7*19 swage and thimble both ends) and use some s/s chain to extend between shroud and turnbuckle - i've seen this used pretty commonly on square riggers. (my reason for doing it is so i have more control for adjusting - on the mainmast backstays i think the new wire has stretched a little so there isnt much adjustment left in the turnbuckle)
anyone think its a bad idea and why?

[boatman61]

Had to do this on an old Chance 37 I delivered... the hydraulic backstay tensioner was stuffed and the owner did not have the funds to do any fixing there and then..
Fitted a large galvanized bottle screw and section of chain... worked a treat from Seville round to Fig da Foz... and we had some hard winds..
he's still using it like that..

[captain58sailin]

The only problem with Stainless, is it can be brittle. Galvanize chain can with stand a shock better. Of course the stainless will be fine for a long time, it just doesn't give any warning before failure.

[MikeTurner]

Some modern production boats with bowsprits use an all-chain bobstay so the basic principle should be sound. I don't know if they use stainless vs. galvinized, however. You would want to ensure that you used a quality and size of chain that was rated for the working/breaking strength of other elements of the rig (wire rope, turnbuckles, etc.), similar to ensuring that any shackles used are of the same rated strength. Otherwise the chain would be the weak link in your rig.

[capt.bobfm]

Chain works, but makes adjusting the turnbuckles a bit more dificult.

[charliehows]

thanx for comments gents, might go with gal chain - its cheaper too...

[barnakiel]

If the chain is properly sized, it can be used as and extension/toggle.

b.