Two more bits -- My Monty was kept in fresh water for most of it's life, and the rigging was functional for years. Trouble is, it is a 1979 model and that means that it is 27 years old. That is a lot of years. Cheap insurance -- esp with an upsize to 5/32. Good point about the nicropress being better because it is visible. Most rigging works just fine -- until it fails. Any way you can anticipate and neutralize potential points of failure (like with a toggle jaw), is good. Woodsybill@aol.com wrote: I have to add my two-bits to this rigging dialogue. If boat is kept in fresh water the standing rigging should be functional for years. My M-17 is 31 years old and I have owned it for 26 years and since that time it is kept in fresh water. I replaced some of the standing rigging-- outboard shrouds, back and forestay's. The forestay was replaced only because I installed a CDI furler that required an open body turnbuckle swaged to the forestay. Upon my examination they were in excellent condition, Including all of the Nicopress fittings. The only reason I replaced them was that "experts" said that that they should be replaced, automatically, after 10 or 12 years. I still have the original inboard shrouds, back stay adjuster and jib halyard and all appear to be in excellent condition. I still have the original main (Olvera) with still some life left. I will, however, have a new main for Xmas, if I'm lucky. I also replaced the main halyard (line and wire rope) and used only one Nicopress sleeve. Although strictly my opinion, I feel much more secure with Nicopress fittings rather than swaged fittings. The obvious advantage of Nicopress fittings is that any defect is visible. A swaged fiting could corrode and never be seen until it gives way. If I had my choice, which I have, I would take a well made Nicopress over a Swage any day. With the CDI furler, there was no choice but a swaged fitting in the furler itself but contrary to instructions, a Nicopress with out a toggle was used at the masthead. Works just fine. I always use two sleeves and a thimble at each fitting, except on halyard, previously mentioned. I bought the wire rope and all Nicopress fittings ( Sleeves and thimbles) from WM and Jerry Montgomery. The Nicopress crimper, 18" with four hole sizes I bought from Home Depot in the garage door section. It works perfectly, is well made and cost around $35.00, far below the $215..00 or so 18" crimper (called Swaging tool but a misnomer) offered by WM. A real Swaging tool is very expensive and requires expertise. So much for that two-bits worth all and have a great sail. Bill K #55 M-17 Half Monty. _______________________________________________ http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/montgomery_boats --------------------------------- See the all-new, redesigned Yahoo.com. Check it out.