replacing running rigging

[bonito]

I am thinking about replacing STANDING rigging with : "AmSteel-Blue Dyneema SK-78 Single Braid".
Any thoughts?
It has a breaking strength of 2500 lbs more than wire rope which is 2100.
Is this a good or bad idea for a 1974 Cal 21 (trailer boat)?

Any comments appreciated.
Thanks

[southshoreS24]

do you mean your standing rigging? i am not sure that a Cal21 would have any wire rope running rigging, maybe the halyard but doubtful.

the advantage of the amsteel for standing rigging is that you can usually do the set up yourself and there is less weight aloft. being that it is trailered it might be worth it as it would be easier to deal with when down then wire. UV damage may be an issue. I am sure those more knowledgeable then me will chime in shortly.

[bonito]

Yes standing, coffee hasn't gotten to my brain yet, LOL.

My main problem is how to connect the ends since I can't find any swages that works on rope. I could splice but then I would not be able to use my turn buckles for adjustments.

[sailingdog]

I wouldn't go with a single braid for running rigging. I wrote a pretty good article on replacing running and standing rigging a while back and would recommend you read it. You can see it here.

If you're talking about replacing your standing rigging with amsteel, then that's a different story. However, you would need to get fittings like Colligo rigging produces for its Dynex Dux rigging, which allows you to tension the standing rigging using lashings and deadeyes.

[tommays]

I looked at and priced it out its really expensive to get the correct fittings the first time you rig a boat compared to replacing you existing SS standing rigging

Other than saving some weight i cant see benefit

[heinzir]

I can see the need for the special fittings on a larger boat but think they can be dispensed with on a boat as small as the 21. 1/8" or 3/16" Amsteel can be spliced around a thimble that is small enough to fit through the jaws of a turnbuckle. You may have to replace the upper studs of your turnbuckles with jaw or (better yet) toggle jaw fittings.

I replaced the running backstays and permanent backstay on my boat with 3/16" Amsteel Blue and it worked out great. I did not have the guts to replace the shrouds as well (concerned about possible UV damage, and scared by a comment on a previous thread that all a vandal needs to bring down the rig is a sharp knife. ) I also would not replace the wire forestay with fiber because of the potential for chafe from the jib hanks.

[tommays]

While i am not and expert on the material

I have read the instructions and viewed the excellent library of assembly videos

If you want to use it successfully it gets sized for creep NOT strength as a size that looks strong enough will CREEP(stretch)excessively over time

You have to use dead eyes with the correct bend radius and there splicing method or the material will FAIL

[sailingdog]

This is very important. While Amsteel is very strong, it does have a tendency to creep... and if the line is sized wrong, it will creep.

So is what Tommays said about the bend radius of the lashings.

Originally Posted by tommays

If you want to use it successfully it gets sized for creep NOT strength as a size that looks strong enough will CREEP(stretch)excessively over time

You have to use dead eyes with the correct bend radius and there splicing method or the material will FAIL

[bonito]

I am pondering now more with the idea to use the back stay only in synthetic and the rest in good old 1x19 SS standing rigging for the $$ sake (most likely I do all in wire rope again, since going syn rope is way to expensive and with 3 years, not that long lasting at all. I guess if I had the money to burn and would want to save every gram on the boat it would be the way to go.

Many thanks to everyone, I know now what to do and what not to do.

[mikieg]

I have a santana 525. I am getting ready to replace all the running rigging on the boat. I am not a racing type. All i am interested in is crusing. So i am looking for a place to buy all the appropriate lines. Anybody know of one?