Rod rigging or Wire?

[BigRed56]

Ahoy riggers, Whats you opinion of the rigging tyes and which is prefered in southern climates. How about life span? I bought this aluminum mast that has rod rigging (guy said it came off a catalina 27 that was scrapped) has split backstay , inside the mast rope halyards and was through the deck stepped though it''s now stepped on my tabernacle. Ive got temporary 3'' extensions that allowed me to set it for sea trials and sail plans (cut down old set of sails from a Dickerson 33) for sea trials that work just fine. Whats the prevaling wind in you jibs mateys? Big Red 56 the Pirate.

[Jeff_H]

Rod riging is generally stronger for a given diameter and had substanially less stretch. It is considered to be lober lived in high salt environments and with modern terminals to be more reliable than wire rope. That said, when rod rigging afils it does so without warning whereas you have a better chance of having a warning (cracks in the swages or visibly broken wires)with wire rope. Rod rigging is generally more expensive and elitist. 8^)

Jeff

[BigRed56]

Ahoy jeff thanks any way to make permenant extensions about 3'' on average 5 ''on backstays? Turnbuckles are 5/16 fine thread. All the lower all threads were missing from the turnbuckles. Rigging and mast 35'' all cost $100.00 so I can afford to be a little elitist, even though it grates on my nerves. Big Red.

[Jeff_H]

It would seem to me that you should be able to have short stays made up that terminate with a swaged on lower terminal for the turnbuckle. Depending on the manufactuere of the turnbuckle you should be able to just by swageable studs. It would mean that you turn buckle would be three to five feet off of the deck but, hey, how would they know you were a priate if you did not have a bit of strange rigging.


Jeff

[EtherCat]

What, you mean the tricorn hat, eyepatch, Jolly Roger, and parrot droppings on the shoulder arent enough?

[DuaneIsing]

BR56,

You need to consider that the rod rigging will better withstand the muzzle blast from your foredeck cannon - so your decision is made.

Duane