Replacing running rigging on an X?

[jbaileyiam]

This weekend I broke one of the jib sheets. It just pulled apart in my hands at one semi-clean point, without cuts and no obvious damage, and the remainder of the line stood up well in 15mph gusts. I am wondering how often its recommended to replace all the running rigging? Any recommendations on lines to use, or is it better to buy a complete custom set? I bought this boat used, so I dont know if I have the original rigging or not.


ModsEdit: search term runrig ~fc

[Frank C]

Which boat & year, matey ??

Standard 'economy' lines are okay, but all lines will suffer in constant sunlight. Still using my factory jib sheets after six years (2000 26X) but they are bundled into the sunbrella jib sock, and the mainsheet stays under a tarp. Both halyards are fully exposed in mast up storage lot. I changed to a longer main halyard when running it aft, and it's definitely time to change the original jib halyard by now.

The halyards and sheets are 5/16" in varying lengths. West Marine carries New England Ropes, and their StaSet is the normal choice (not sure if StaSet's now replaced by something more modern??). You can also just get the econo-replacements from any Mac dealer.

See this thread, Inventory of Lines, for earlier discussion material, sources, etc.

PowerSailingCenter's Macgregor Replacement Parts List:
( running rigging line lengths )

5/16" White Economy Polyester Yacht Braid
Mac324 Furling Line (3/16" x 43ft) $13.75 ea
Mac325 Genoa Sheet (66 ft) 26M-X $33.00 ea
Mac326 Jib Halyard (50 ft) 26M-X $25.00 ea
Mac327 Jib Sheet (46 ft) 26M-X $23.00 ea
Mac328 Main Halyard (60 ft) 26X $30.00 ea
Mac330 Main Halyard (64 ft) 26M $32.00 ea
Mac329 Main Sheet (46 ft) 26M-X $23.00 ea
Mac331 Spinnaker Sheet (70 ft) 26M-X $35.00 ea
Mac332 Mast Raising Line (48ft) 26X $25.00 ea
Mac333 Boom Vang (12ft) 26M-X $6.00 ea

Here is the rest of the info I promised:
Swing keel line 5/16 x 16 Blue (centerboard line)

[Dimitri-2000X-Tampa]

Someone on ebay was selling whole sets...which would be very convenient. However, then you don't get to customize at all like if you buy each individual line. Also, color coding is important too. All my halyards are now fleck line and all my sheets are the old solid white lines (nice and soft on the hands since they are old). My new CB line is black with white flecks, my topping lift is white with black flecks. My spinnaker halyard is white with blue/red flecks and my main halyard is red with white flecks.

I got them all a little longer than before. Now I can clip my main halyard to the lifelines so it won't slap the mast. I can also lower my spinnaker single handed because I made the halyard long enough where I could release it from within the cabin while pulling the sail into the front hatch. And my topping lift i now long enough to reach the boom without a secondary rope.

Certainly, load bearing ropes like what you might use to lift the mast should be replaced more frequently than sheets. My jib halyard was looking kinda ratty after 6 years in the Florida sun so I replaced it first. Of course, the original Mac rigging is probably on the cheaper side. Probably a higher quality halyard will last 10+ years is my guess. Of course, I suppose if you kept the rigging indoors off the boat for half the year, they would probably last twice as long...but who wants to go to that kind of hassle..not me.

[jbaileyiam]

Those sets on eBay I was looking at, according to the details you can select from the colors they have available for each line. Has anyone purchased lines from Cajun Traders in Canada?

Sorry skipper, I think I am still doing something wrong because my signature info doesnt display on my posts... but I have it updated and checked the signature box before sending. I have a 2002 Mac x w/Honda 50.

[Frank C]

... I think I am still doing something wrong because my signature info doesnt display on my posts... but I have it updated and checked the signature box before sending. I have a 2002 Mac x w/Honda 50.

Sorry JB, but the signature info has been switched off - takes too much screeen real estate. Try adding key info to the LOCATION field. After entering your sailing region, you can add more info there, like:
2002 26X - Honda 50

See left ... and Welcome ab'd!

[hiram6]

I purchased the set from Cajun a little over a year ago. Very high quality materials and workmanship. They do all the bindings and include all of the correct shackles, etc. Highly recommend them.