Replacing Standing Rigging

[SouthernNomad]

Hey Guys,

I am unsure as to when or if my standing rigging has been replaced on my 89' CP27. A few questions. How long is the rigging's typical (safe) lifespan? Would it be wise to get it surveyed before just flat out replacing it? How much would it typically cost in to replace the standing rigging properly. I imagine it would best be done by a professional. Would it also be wise to re-bed the outboard chain plates in the process? What other foreseeable roadblocks would one encounter in that process? Finally which company produces and provides adequate hardware for our beloved CP27's? Is standing rigging universal to sailboats meaning that it just depends on the dimensions required to size the hardware no matter the manufacturer? 

Thank you for the help.

SouthernNomad

[wes]

Nomad - you're going to get many conflicting opinions, which is one of the things that makes sailing so fun.

I have all of the original 1988 rigging off my 27 right now due to my project of deck painting and hardware rebedding. I've been able to carefully inspect the full length of every wire, and every terminal, in the comfort of my home. No corrosion and no broken strands, so I'm going to re-install it and go sailing. I'm primarily a coastal day sailor and weekend cruiser.

If I were planning a riskier trip, say from Tampa to the Yucatan (just a random example) I would replace the rigging due to its 26 year age. If I didn't want to do a lot of measuring and rigging research, I'd just order a replacement set from Hutchins for $1450. Their pricing is reasonable and you are guaranteed to get exactly what you need. You may get slightly better pricing or slightly higher quality elsewhere, but at the cost of much more of your time and more risk of errors and misunderstandings.

Now let the arguments begin.....

Wes

[SouthernNomad]

WES -  YTM!

[wes]

Addendum, re: chain plates.

I like a dry boat. And with a new-to-me 26 year old boat, I want to lay my hands and eyes on the hardware that, if it were to fail, could bring my mast down. There is always the possibility of hidden corrosion or cracking on the hidden back side. So, I'm rebedding the chain plates. Still deciding between butyl tape and 3M 4200.

That being said, it's a gigantic royal pain to remove the chain plates on the 27 because you must first remove a lot of interior trim. However due to Hutchins' excellent decision to use external rather than through-deck chain plates, there isn't much damage done if they leak a little. The water will drip down the inside of the hull in the air gap behind the trim, and end up in the bilge.

So: if I weren't already in the midst of a total overhaul, I probably wouldn't rebed unless I had evidence of significant leaking or suspicions of damage. Unless I were setting off on a risky single-handed voyage, say from Tampa to the Yucatan (just a random example).

[deisher6]

Hey Southern Nomad:
In July 2011 we bought a C-16 and I replaced all the standing rigging with wire from Hutchins. 

Last year I bought our '86 C-27 and after looking at all the standing rigging while the mast was down in the yard I decided that new standing rigging was not a priority to get the boat back in the water.  The surveyor agreed.  He went over the boat with enough detail to discover cracked welds on the pulpit that I had missed.

I did replace almost all of the running rigging and I have a spare halyard run to a bail on the masthead that I would use in case of a failure in the standing rigging.

regards charlie