Steel line is fraying

[2Sheets2Wind]

My wife and I recently purchased our first sail boat. Please forgive me if I accidentally mangle the jargon.

One of the side mast stays (looks like stainless steel rope that helps keep mast up and secure) has started to fray. That is two of the stainless steel threads have broken. This stainless steel rope terminates one one end directly somehow into a screw that screws into a turnbuckle. It's not a loop at turnbuckle terminal and then clamped down. It is a straight shot directly into the screw which is one side of the turnbuckle. I'm doing a less then perfect job describing this. Hopefully someone can decipher or divine what I am trying to describe.

Seeing two of these stainless steel threads broken indicates to me that this stainless steel rope and turnbuckle end should be replaced. Part of me wonders if purchasing new stainless steel rope, a clamp, and different turnbuckle end where I can just loop the cable through the end and then clamp the end segment of the cable will suffice. Or if the pressure exerted on the cable at the bend will be a premature failing point of the cable. If that is the case how about going about connecting the new cable to that terminal end that screws into the turnbuckle.

I don't have a clue as to the proper terminology for that end that the steel rope goes into and then is able to screw into the turnbuckle. The name of the process for securing the steel rope in that end that screws into the turnbuckle. The equipment needed to do that. How to go about connecting that steel rope end into the terminal end of the turnbuckle.

Any information or guidelines along this matter is appreciated.

Thank you.

Have a Great Day,
Jim

[knothead]

Originally Posted by 2Sheets2Wind

My wife and I recently purchased our first sail boat. Please forgive me if I accidentally mangle the jargon.

One of the side mast stays (looks like stainless steel rope that helps keep mast up and secure) has started to fray. That is two of the stainless steel threads have broken. This stainless steel rope terminates one one end directly somehow into a screw that screws into a turnbuckle. It's not a loop at turnbuckle terminal and then clamped down. It is a straight shot directly into the screw which is one side of the turnbuckle. I'm doing a less then perfect job describing this. Hopefully someone can decipher or divine what I am trying to describe.

Seeing two of these stainless steel threads broken indicates to me that this stainless steel rope and turnbuckle end should be replaced. Part of me wonders if purchasing new stainless steel rope, a clamp, and different turnbuckle end where I can just loop the cable through the end and then clamp the end segment of the cable will suffice. Or if the pressure exerted on the cable at the bend will be a premature failing point of the cable. If that is the case how about going about connecting the new cable to that terminal end that screws into the turnbuckle.

I don't have a clue as to the proper terminology for that end that the steel rope goes into and then is able to screw into the turnbuckle. The name of the process for securing the steel rope in that end that screws into the turnbuckle. The equipment needed to do that. How to go about connecting that steel rope end into the terminal end of the turnbuckle.

Any information or guidelines along this matter is appreciated.

Thank you.

Have a Great Day,
Jim

Jim,
It really sounds as though your rigging has served it's useful life and needs to be replaced.
I would suggest that you consult a qualified rigger or surveyor to have a look at it for you.

There is a lot of information about standing rigging on this site and on the internet should you choose to search for it.

[paulk]

Knothead is right. Time for new rigging with new Swaged Threaded End Fittings. Looping a new piece of wire through and clamping it would be something to do as an emergency jury rig, to get you home if your stay or shroud broke while you were sailing, but the wire will end up kinking when you put pressure on it, and you'll need to replace THAT too. It's better just to get a new piece of wire of the right length and have a new fitting swaged onto it. The simplest way to do this is to remove the broken stay from the mast. (Lowering the mast first will make this easier; otherwise you should rig a temporary replacement stay to make sure your mast stays up!) Dont cut the frayed stay! Send or take it to a rigger, and have him match it. Your new stay should fit right where the old one went, and you won't necessarily have to change the turnbuckles. (Though that is recommended at certain intervals, too - check with your rigger.) Avoiding the hassle of clamps slipping and the sloppy look of loops will be worth the expense of doing it right the first time.

[2Sheets2Wind]

My thanks to the two of you for responding. I'm landlocked pretty much in the midwest. With the closest sail boat shop 75 miles away. Hopefully they offer this "swagging" service.

This is a 43 year old 19 foot day sailing type boat. No cabin but has cuddy. Have no idea when this particular rigging was put in place. Nor do I think the previous owner does. He bought the boat in 2002 from Boatangel charities on Ebay.

I kind of like to keep questions from suppliers so there isn't a conflict of interest. Like if I ask a supplier should I replace all the rigging? (of course you should that is more money for me.)

I just brought down the mast today and looked at all the rigging (forestay and starboard mast stay) looked fine. No fraying no crinks in the wire rope at all. Is it standard practice that all rigging should be replaced at the same tiime?

Thank you for taking the time to respond.

Have a Great Day,
Jim

[tommays]

There are many places that you send your old stuff and the will make NEW copy's that will fit perfect

I sent mine to Hall spars and and on a 19' boat it should not be that much money

[okawbow]

You can remove, and ship your rigging to a shop such as Sailboat hardware, rigging and standing rigging from Rigging Only . They will make up new stays and shrouds to match yours, for much less than having it done by a local shop. You will also learn more about your boat by doing it yourself. Be sure and send the turnbuckles along with the wires, as they may need replacement also. Take pictures and make drawings before you start to remove things.