5 Things Sailors Over 50 Should Never Ignore
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dlandersson
- Admiral
- Posts: 5038
- Joined: Fri Aug 27, 2010 10:00 am
- Sailboat: MacGregor 26X
- Location: Michigan City
5 Things Sailors Over 50 Should Never Ignore
5 Things Sailors Over 50 Should Never Ignore - I'm replacing my standing rigging this weekend
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Be Free
- Admiral
- Posts: 1992
- Joined: Fri Nov 23, 2012 6:08 pm
- Sailboat: MacGregor 26X
- Location: Steinhatchee, FL
Re: 5 Things Sailors Over 50 Should Never Ignore
Same here.
Next Thursday it will be 15 years since I purchased my boat. Over half of that was spent completely in fresh water but I'd already decided that this year it would get new standing rigging. I check the rigging (almost) every time I raise the mast and there are no signs of any damage but I figure it is time to change it in any case.
Checking the rigging on our boat is easier since many of them are kept on a trailer where the rigging is very easy to check. Even those who keep the mast up for long periods of time can lower them easily to check the rigging.
Start at the fittings at the top of the mast and work your way down. Any corrosion or rust, no matter how slight, should signal that it's time to replace the rigging. If you see any rust on the outside of your stay or shroud you can be sure that inside that wire rope there is a lot more.
After you have visually checked a section of rigging, take a white rag and slide it over the area you've just examined. The rag will catch on any broken strands, even ones that were too small to see when you were looking for cracked fittings and rust stains earlier. Replace your rigging even if you only find one broken strand. It's important that you do this after looking for the rust so that you don't wipe off small stains without seeing them. Check your (hopefully still white) rag for any rust stains that were hiding in the crevices.
Any bent, or deformed chainplate, stay adjuster, or turnbuckle must be replaced. They are not meant to be bent or twisted and you can't see what damage has been done inside. The same goes for all of the pins and shackles. If you can see wear on them it is time to replace them.
On the plus side, our boats are relatively light and have a very conservative sail plan. Our rigging does not take that much strain and even though it looks light compared to larger, heavier boats it is more than sufficient. A single broken strand or a slightly bent turnbuckle probably won't cause an immediate failure but it might. Don't ignore warning signs. Rig failures are rare but not unheard of on a MacGregor. You really don't want to be in that very exclusive club of those who've managed to have one.
Next Thursday it will be 15 years since I purchased my boat. Over half of that was spent completely in fresh water but I'd already decided that this year it would get new standing rigging. I check the rigging (almost) every time I raise the mast and there are no signs of any damage but I figure it is time to change it in any case.
Checking the rigging on our boat is easier since many of them are kept on a trailer where the rigging is very easy to check. Even those who keep the mast up for long periods of time can lower them easily to check the rigging.
Start at the fittings at the top of the mast and work your way down. Any corrosion or rust, no matter how slight, should signal that it's time to replace the rigging. If you see any rust on the outside of your stay or shroud you can be sure that inside that wire rope there is a lot more.
After you have visually checked a section of rigging, take a white rag and slide it over the area you've just examined. The rag will catch on any broken strands, even ones that were too small to see when you were looking for cracked fittings and rust stains earlier. Replace your rigging even if you only find one broken strand. It's important that you do this after looking for the rust so that you don't wipe off small stains without seeing them. Check your (hopefully still white) rag for any rust stains that were hiding in the crevices.
Any bent, or deformed chainplate, stay adjuster, or turnbuckle must be replaced. They are not meant to be bent or twisted and you can't see what damage has been done inside. The same goes for all of the pins and shackles. If you can see wear on them it is time to replace them.
On the plus side, our boats are relatively light and have a very conservative sail plan. Our rigging does not take that much strain and even though it looks light compared to larger, heavier boats it is more than sufficient. A single broken strand or a slightly bent turnbuckle probably won't cause an immediate failure but it might. Don't ignore warning signs. Rig failures are rare but not unheard of on a MacGregor. You really don't want to be in that very exclusive club of those who've managed to have one.
Bill
2001 26X Simple Interest
Honda BF40D
"If I were in a hurry I would not have bought a sailboat." Me
2001 26X Simple Interest
Honda BF40D
"If I were in a hurry I would not have bought a sailboat." Me
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dlandersson
- Admiral
- Posts: 5038
- Joined: Fri Aug 27, 2010 10:00 am
- Sailboat: MacGregor 26X
- Location: Michigan City
Re: 5 Things Sailors Over 50 Should Never Ignore
Ditto
Be Free wrote: ↑Fri Apr 17, 2026 8:23 am
Next Thursday it will be 15 years since I purchased my boat. Over half of that was spent completely in fresh water but I'd already decided that this year it would get new standing rigging. I check the rigging (almost) every time I raise the mast and there are no signs of any damage but I figure it is time to change it in any case.