Shrouds - when to say when.

[seandwyer]

Hey Guys,

So - After last Saturday, I noticed a single wire had snapped in half on my port side shroud. It's been my intent to replace these when the season was finally over, with the larger diameter variety, but I really didn't want the season to be over quite yet (OH weather has been unseasonably wonderful this year). So, I have two questions:

Is the consensus that once a wire breaks, replace the shroud immediately, don't trust it, don't try to get one more sail out of it, don't pass go etc? Or can I safely use it for the rest of the year which will probably amount to one or two more weekends if I am really, really lucky - presuming the wind be light?

I noticed that the break occurred where the shroud passes through the spreader - so, (my question is a little lengthy here) I do not detach my shrouds when I take the mast down - I just lower it and then push it forward so it lays parallel to the hull on its trailer brackets. As a result, the shrouds are always bent in a "U" shape where they pass through the spreader. I said bent, NOT kinked. From being kept in this shape, there is some memory in the shrouds, ergo, they stay bent slightly when not pulled tight when the mast is in the upright position. So the question is - does bending the shroud like this strain the metal over the years so as to increase the likelihood of it breaking? Should I really be detaching the shrouds from the deck every time? I'd hate to do anything to increase my rigging time, but I'd rather not ruin a new (expensive) set of shrouds. What do most guys do?

[GreenLake]

Why not toss a coin? It's a game with probabilities. The remaining wires will have to carry that much more load, making their chance of breaking higher. The fact that one of them broke can indicate others are close to breaking. If the whole thing breaks, there's a chance your mast can come down and/or get damaged.

Only you can weigh the risks.

The PO of my boat replaced a shroud, one, for about $20. That was 20 years ago. Even with an increase in prices since then, it doesn't strike me as very expensive.

I also have that U-bend problem. I've not seen ill effects of it in nearly ten years, but like you, I don't really like the "memory".

[seandwyer]

Greenlake - maybe I'm looking at the wrong thing when considering shroud replacement. Now, granted, if I'm going to replace one, then the other shroud as well as forestay will be replaced as well - and I will be moving up to the 1/16" size cable, but it seems a lot more than what you are talking about. Is there a cheaper way to replace them? Looking on D&R I found replacements - $215.00 with turn buckles. The cables alone cost $158.00 but I don't think they have the swadged on fittings so they would likely cost more in the long run once you find someone to do that for you. My local sailboat shop wants about 250.00 at least. I guess I just feel like it seems like a lot for three cables. However - I do agree about risks, and no, ruining my mast isn't really something worth gambling over for something I was planning to do anyway. If anyone knows of a cheaper out - cheaper in price, not quality - let us all know.

Thanks!

[seandwyer]

I meant 1/8th inch stranded cable. Sorry

[navahoIII]

I bought the other set that D&R carries. About $155/set. It has turnbuckles but not the "full" kind. They work quite well, just add a little wd40 once in a while. The wires are the same as the costlier set's.

[K.C. Walker]

A broken strand is a pretty good indication that you are standing rigging is past due for replacing. If you go up to the 1/8 wire you will probably have to drill out your chain plates for the bigger pin that goes with the bigger turnbuckle. I had to drill out but really the whole job doesn't take that long including taping everything. I'd call Dwyer http://www.dwyermast.com/items.asp?cat1 ... ng+Rigging . They're pretty fast and it's not unlikely that this is where a lot of people buy wholesale.

You can think of it this way, you've already crossed off something on your spring launch to do list!

KC

[dannyb9]

i just did a cost analysis at 'bosunsupplies.com'. 3 turnbuckles, 1/8" 1x19 wire, swager, and swages came to about $150. hmmm...
i've made several shrouds, bridles, etc for my hobies and its not hard to do. i have a swager and some wire on hand so it doesnt cost me much to make my own. but the DR parts seem very reasonable.
if it were me and i had one broken strand (out of 19) i'd probably do light air sails without worry. i've done it.

[seandwyer]

Well - I've looked over the pricing and it seems that D&R for the cheaper set that NavahoeIII refered to is the best deal going considering the fact that I know they will work / be the proper size etc, coming from D&R. I checked out Dwyer (distant family perhaps ) and the price is close assumig the forestay is the same length at $171.09, but this is assuming that I measured correctly. I'd hate to have them come and find out I meassured incorrectly and they won't fit. I think I'll call the local guy and see if I can get a price. Mine seem to be 16' in length. Does that sound about right?

I think I may very well have a Dwyer mast right now. Does that seem right and correlate to what O'Day was using in the late 60's? The mast head, and casting, tabernacle etc all look pretty much the same.

Thanks for the suggestions!

[K.C. Walker]

You should definitely ask for the family discount if you call Dwyer.

I'm pretty sure if you called Dwyer and told them you wanted DaySailer rigging that they would already have the measurements. A while back I called them, actually for exactly the same reason, and they had measurements and provided me shrouds for my Lockley-Newport boat which is a very low volume boat. I don't know if they would have a better price, but I think they would have the same quality and measurements. It's not unlikely they provide D&R.

Or http://www.intensitysails.com/cosetofstrif.html

All that being said, when I upgraded my rigging to 1/8 I bought it from D&R.

KC