Hi Robbin, I would look for the obvious telltales, rust, white powder like corrosion, fish hooks in the SS wire, etc.The standing rigging has been replaced on my M23, some by me, some by Dick Lane, simply because it was old, not because I found anything wrong.Jerry did overbuild the rigging, it's very stout. Bones ____________________________________________________________ Groupon™ Official Site 1 ridiculously huge coupon a day. Get 50-90% off your city's best! http://thirdpartyoffers.juno.com/TGL3141/4dc7f586f13c530312dst03vuc