Inspecting Your Standing And Running Rigging
Published: Wednesday, February 13, 2019
By: Jon Duer, Doyle Sailmakers Cleveland
One of the most vital features on any sailboat is your standing and running rigging. They should be inspected on a yearly basis either by going aloft or by removing the mast — which, by the way, should be done every three-five years, regardless. Once inspecting, what should you be looking for?
Standing rigging has many failure points. Start at the deck and check your chainplates and mast steps for corrosion and leaks. Move to the fittings at the ends of each cable. Are they free from cracks, bends, or rust? If turnbuckles don’t thread in and out without hesitation, you may have a galled thread or bent stud, and these should be replaced.
Inspect your running rigging before continuing up the mast. Halyards should be inspected at the shackles, splices, and the entire length of the line. NEVER use a shackle to hoist anyone up the mast and always tie a secure knot in case of splice or shackle failure.
After proper inspection of all halyards, continue up the mast very carefully checking all attachment points for winches, stays, spreaders, sheaves, and all mounted hardware for stress cracks and/or corrosion. All sections of cable should be free from defects.
Your furling headstay should be inspected very closely for any unwound wires caused by a halyard wrap. This occurs when your genoa halyard begins to wrap around the furler as you furl the sail in. If your sail is not furling with a normal amount of resistance, this is an indication that something is wrong, and you should drop your sail for inspection. You should NEVER put your furling line on a winch as this will cause the headstay to unwind and possible break. A halyard restrainer can be added, if necessary.
A visual inspection may not be enough; hidden dangers are still possible. Plastic covers and over use of tape on turnbuckles add to concerns for crevice corrosion caused by lack of oxygen and moisture entrapment. Consider rigging age, rig tune, use and sailing location, as well as these general guidelines for rigging replacement:
>>> Standing rigging should be replaced every 10-15 years.
>>> Running rigging should be replaced every 5-10 years.
If you are not comfortable assessing your own rigging, notice any visual defects, or are concerned that your rigging is nearing its end of use, you should contact your local rigger for a professional inspection and repair.
This article first appeared in the Winter Issue (Jan/Feb) 2019 of Great Lakes Scuttlebutt magazine.
tags: Boating 101, Lake Erie, Sailing, Service & Repair
