Normal Lifespan (?) for Rod Rigging - SailNet Community
WEBAug 24, 2006 · One of the most critical factors in determining the longevity of rigging, rod or wire is where the boat is located. If you are in the tropics or subtropics you should not expect to keep your rig more than 12 to 15 years. Less if you talk to some of the wire manufacturers. Rod rigging is very difficult to inspect.
rod rigging replacement - SailNet Community
WEBDec 5, 2012 · Navtec, who are probably "the" source on rod rigging, would tell you that rigging fatigues based on the number of cycles that it is loaded (stressed) and unloaded. Sitting on a shelf, it takes no stress cycles. Rigged on a boat, it takes "one" cycle every time you tack, every time the boat slams, every time the wind gusts, etc.
Standing Rigging: Rod vs Wire - SailNet Community
WEBNov 18, 2010 · Rod has pros and cons like any rigging. Pros: Lighter, less weight aloft, lower windage, greater strength to weight ratio. Wire rigging is heavier, creates more windage and has a lower strength-to-weight ratio than rod, but is easier to replace, can be replaced using all ship-board hand tools, is easier to inspect.
Rod v. Wire Rigging - Valiant 42 | SailNet Community
WEBDec 5, 2016 · Rod v. Wire Rigging - Valiant 42. One of my customer's has a Valiant 42 in need of new rigging. Valiants came from the factory with rod rigging. In this case the formed heads at the ends of the rigging are cracked in all six of the fittings that we have inspected (obviously there are a bunch more).
Rod VS Wire, The endless question! | SailNet Community
WEBFeb 6, 2007 · While Rod rigging is generally quite reliable, it does have one major disadvantage over wire rigging. It can fail catastrophically, with little or no warning. I highly recommend inspecting rod rigging very thoroughly at least twice a year. If you don't know how to do so, hire a rigger to do so and have them teach you how while they are doing it.
Evaluating rod rigging - SailNet Community
WEBApr 27, 2009 · NAVTEC Rigging Solutions. You can have the rod heads die tested by a rigger that knows rod for reasonable costs. Rod tends to last longer than wire and stay in better shape. Rod tends to go at the heads and the fittings. Fittings on wire also go. The advice above to change from rod to wire is suspect.
Rod Rigging - SailNet Community
WEBSep 29, 2016 · This would be for mostly coastal cruising. My thought is that rod rigging doesn't have a very kind failure mode, but, would be expensive to replace all the ends to change to wire rigging. If the rod takes the reheading OK, then it would probably be healthy for a long time. Valiant 32.
Rod rigging on c&c 35 - SailNet Community
WEBSep 12, 2007 · rod rigging My 70's Heritage One Ton had rod rigging. It had been replaced in the mid 80's, so it was about 20 years old. The P.O. caught a gust from starboard, heard a gunshot, and the whole rig came down in a spectacular crash with the mast breaking off at the gooseneck and falling over to port. Fortunately, no one was hurt.
Rod rigging to reduce corrosion - SailNet Community
WEBNov 25, 2008 · Rod rigging in some senses, has more positives than the wire, ie stronger for its size, lighter etc. But, from what I understand, it in reality does not last as long, or at least from what I have heard compared to wire. A boat your size, going to rod vs wire is like putting an extra 200 lb person on the rail as to how much lighter it is vs wire.
Synthetic standing rigging in a cruiser? | SailNet Community
WEBJul 22, 2022 · Rod rigging was always a premium product. Less stretch, smaller diameter (less windage), more reliable connections, and greater durability were the selling points. The standard life cycle back in the day was thought to be 25-35 years with comparatively more detailed and frequent inspections as the rigging passed its first decade.