Hi David, Knowing of Don Street, and his transatlantic trips with Iolaire on a yearly basis, under those conditions, I too, would err on the very conservative side. Loosing your mast in the middle of the ocean - with no auxiliary motor on board - is not a happy thought. Masts should stay in boats no matter what the weather god throws at you. Modern racers are the other end of the scale. Loose masts? Fine as long as you can win: that's the cost of racing. But if you are out cruising, reliability is your best insurance, and that means caution with your standing rigging. But, consider Don Street's use of his vessel. It's probably in the water all year. It is probably used an awful lot. It is kept in the tropics: sun; salt water; and most likely covers thousands of miles per operating year. Does your M use begin to compare? How many active sailing days per year can you tally? 40 to 50 days is about my guess. So rig stresses and wear are a function of use: where used; all year long or only a small fraction of the year? That's why, you as Captain, have to decide what is prudent for your circumstances. If you sleep better changing out your rigging, by all means do so. I sleep much better having three anchors plus chain and rodes on board a vessel, but I also carefully inspect my swages every season, and would change a shroud at the slightest sign of rust or cracking. Life is too short to be in a blow, and then have the additional worry about your mast staying where it should be. Connie
Thanks, Connie. It sounds like the best peace of mind will come from educating myself on rigging inspection. --Craig ----- Original Message ----- From: "Conbert H Benneck" <chbenneck@juno.com> To: <montgomery_boats@mailman.xmission.com> Sent: Saturday, June 22, 2002 11:25 AM Subject: Rigging Hi David, Knowing of Don Street, and his transatlantic trips with Iolaire on a yearly basis, under those conditions, I too, would err on the very conservative side. Loosing your mast in the middle of the ocean - with no auxiliary motor on board - is not a happy thought. Masts should stay in boats no matter what the weather god throws at you. Modern racers are the other end of the scale. Loose masts? Fine as long as you can win: that's the cost of racing. But if you are out cruising, reliability is your best insurance, and that means caution with your standing rigging. But, consider Don Street's use of his vessel. It's probably in the water all year. It is probably used an awful lot. It is kept in the tropics: sun; salt water; and most likely covers thousands of miles per operating year. Does your M use begin to compare? How many active sailing days per year can you tally? 40 to 50 days is about my guess. So rig stresses and wear are a function of use: where used; all year long or only a small fraction of the year? That's why, you as Captain, have to decide what is prudent for your circumstances. If you sleep better changing out your rigging, by all means do so. I sleep much better having three anchors plus chain and rodes on board a vessel, but I also carefully inspect my swages every season, and would change a shroud at the slightest sign of rust or cracking. Life is too short to be in a blow, and then have the additional worry about your mast staying where it should be. Connie
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