My Stiletto 27 standing rigging is just starting to show a hint of rust near some of the fittings and it has been on the boat for some time (I think).
At first blush, it would seem replacing this standing rigging with some of the hi-tech synthetics could reduce cost, increasing working loads and breaking strength ... while also reducing weight aloft.
It seems as though splicing and carrying emergency replacement stays would also be simplified and possibly less costly for the standing rigging and emergency replacements.
For random cost comparison, 3/8 inch Sampson Spectran-12 line costs about $2/ft., has a breaking strength of 14,000 lbs., while Stainless runs about $3.50/ft. Indeed, one would also consider the ease and cost reductions of being able to spice rigging at home, vs. spending money for a rigger and the cost of marine eyes at $25 each.
From what I understand, some of the latest and greatest synthetics are UV prtected and pre-stretched so the fiished length won't "creep".
My intended use of the boat, will be for cruising in areas that don't have rigging and riggers readily available. It would seem having rigging and materials for replacement extras that I can install seems prudent.
Has anyone done this, explored or have experience or comment on this use of synthetics for a 27 foot catamaran standing rigging application, standing a 35 foot mast....???
What are the pros and cons?
Tom H.
i don't think spectra will give much notice before it decides to go. this is not a major problem if you have multiple shroud lines, but losing a forestay would be catastrophic. i wouldn't do it. if you want the ability to make replacements by yourself, consider keeing some spare wire and norseman fittings on the boat or have the rigging made using norseman fittings and just keep some spare wire on the boat.
arent spectra and vectran for running rigging?
Great and personallly interesting topic here.
Wouter? Wouter? Maybe he's still sleeping.
I think Wouter, and others have some good advice for you on this subject.
I use spectra in place of the SS wire on the tramp of the 4-way jib system, and on the stays on my spinaker pole on my Nacra 6.0.
and if the line on the 4 way jib system or a spin pole stay gives you won't dismast.
Synthetic rigging has been used on many boats and work well. Layline will make it for you. The key is your eyesplices. Will it break sure. I am not sure I like giving up wire for weight in this case but I have thought about putting it on my boat. My class rules ban it so I will not make the change.
Manufacturers SWL's and breaking strengths are just indicative numbers. I take them as an indicator.
This last summer I was out sailing in a steady 20 mph wind with gusts to 25 + when the jib halyard snapped. The halyard was 5/16 Amsteel Blue. It had a tensil strength of 13,700 pounds. I didn't think that would happen.
Change your battens to foam and the mast tang shackle to titanium, and get some high tech sails then wires to synthenic. It cost a lot of money and unless you are one-design racing no real return. Best thing is to have good standing rigging.
I hope I'm not insulting anyone's intelligence here but breaking strength can be halved ( I think it's half, maybe less) when the line is tied with a knot. Splicing retains the breaking strength rating. I use a couple of vectran lines as lower shrouds just for some extra insurance to aid in the prevention of "out-of-column". I also use vectran at each side of the bowsprit.
my understanding is a bowline is about 65% original strength and a splice is about 90% original strength. i do not recall too many knots that are much stronger that 65%
Go to the FCA Chat site on Yahoo. You can search out many comments from those who actually use this stuff. Also check out Erik Precourts info as well. Farrier has spected the the F33 and F39 with syn... I was quoted around $500 for stays and fittings for my F25c. Haven't bought it as yet because I may change masts and the stays come with it. Weight wise it saves about 5 lbs per stay according to Heaton who has a F25c as well.
thommerrill
F25c 009 Charisma
ARC22 2234 Widowmaker
FMS SC20 57
You might want to compare the diameter of the synthetic material to the stainless wire for comperable breaking strengths. I ran across this argument once before on another forum and I believe that the view was mixed on whether the added windage resistance of the synthetic was worth the weight reduction.
New England Ropes has a chart of "Percentage of retained strength" at the bottom of This page
I just woke up !
But seriously, I'm so involved in talks to designers and parties in order to make the F16 an trully international class with more than 3 builders that I don't get out much on the open forum anymore.
Anyways I don't have much to what is already said. Yes Vectra or so is a strong material and I trapeze of it. Yes, the strength is much reduce when looped or knotted unlike steel and nicopress fittings. Weigth reduction versus air resistance, humm good one. Yes, the wear on steel wires is much easier to see. Vectra and sorts can wear from the inside and break before anything is noticed.
I use these line for my trapeze line and spi pole rigging and what not else but I'm personally not comfortable yet with using it as standing rigging or as diamond line. A line that is onder tension is easy to cut by knife or other sharp object.
That is all
Wouter