MacGregorSailors.com

Santa is REALLY nice this year. I will be getting a 26S - - wow. I will mount a large bow and post a photo if I am successful trailering to the house. Exciting!
The question for the group: Is it normal to be proactive and replace the ss cables (stays) after so many years? My sailor friend at work (Hobie cat) stated that corrosion will occur under the crimps, and will not be visible in an inspection. Dependent on the service (salt water vs. fresh) they are life limited and should be replaced due to the metallurgy and hidden corrosion.
I am buying the boat from the original owners, so I have some confidence in its service life. Fresh water only, most of its life on a trailer in Texas. Carefull inspection of all the cable ends show no discoloration, no broken strands (aka meat hooks), no over stress indications or kinks on cables, attachements, or adjacent fiberglass.
So what to you all think? A mast coming down in the family is not an option.

Many thanks for this (most excellent) forum, and a very Merry Christmas to all of you.
Nelson Amen - - San Antonio, Texas

Thats a tough one for me. My guess is in fresh water your standing rigging would be fine. But 15 years old?????

With family on board I think I would replace and keep my old stuff as spares.

Check the standing rigging carefully, but my guess is it's fine. I've got rigging on one of my boats that's pushing 30 years and still is in great shape. It all comes down to where was the boat stored, how much abuse did it take and was it salted.

I sail a 1988......... original rigging.
It was a coastal boat (SoCal). Some disscoloration of the nicropressed fittings, but nothing's broken on me yet. Did replace the forestay due to fish hooks in the wire, but the swagges didn't fail.

However, to quantify, I am thinking about replacing standing rigging this coming year. It will help peace of mind, if nothing else.

Merry Xmas everyone,

SK

Your forestay is the only real single point of failure on the rig, you might want to replace it to be safe. Could save your life!

The forestay on my Venture 17 shows no corrosion, but it's not exactly straight in places. Some very subtle bending. So I'm thinking of replacing also.

I wonder... is this special cable? Or can we go to the local home improvement store and buy replacement?

Thanks, michael