What I have run into with looking at boats is that rod that age will NOT pass any rigging inspection just because of the age, no matter how nice it looks. Also judging from the ads I would guess about 5% or less of the rod rigged boats for sale have rigging that would pass, it seems to stay up until it breaks.
Joe Coquina From: Charlie Nelson via CnC-List <[email protected]> Sent: Wednesday, June 23, 2021 10:39 AM To: [email protected] Cc: [email protected] Subject: [EXTERNAL] Stus-List Standing rigging replacement Hey everyone--especially those on this list whose boats are approaching 'old age!' My 1995 C&C 36 XL/kcb is now 26 years old and has been in brackish water for her entire life--which has been either at the dock or club racing in the NC sounds where the air is mostly light and the heat is often oppressive. I am faced with a decision on what, if anything, to do about her standing rigging, which is all original rod except for the forestay which was replaced with wire when I snapped the rod during a racing adventure--the headsail was furled at the time so the rig did not come down! A local, seemingly knowledgeable rigger, has recommend that all the standing rigging be replaced after he did a rig inspection a few weeks ago. (He aborted an attempt at tuning the rig when he realized that the threads on one of the turn-buckles were disintegrating during his adjustments.) The cost to replace with rod per his estimate is ~ $7500 plus some yard fees to un-step and re-step the mast so I am looking at about $8k for the job, without replacing some mast hardware (Tides track, steaming light, radio cable and antenna, etc.) while the mast is down. I realize that after 26 years, the rigging might need attention, that is why I had him do the inspection. OTOH, I also understand that it is in his own self-interest to replace the rig. The rod will be done in Rhode Island but he will be doing all the other stuff. The old joke '...if the only tool you have is a hammer, every problem looks like a nail..' comes to mind. I am also a firm believer in the saying '....tools not rules...' so I am reluctant to just replace something because of a 'recommendation' based on what often is more tradition than fact. Since many on the list have boats even older than mine, I am curious what the list has to say about rod rigging replacement versus age, intended use and cruising/racing waters involved. Of course I'd prefer the rig not come down around my ears, even in the NC sounds, but I have no plans to take her off-shore, except for possible short hops to deliver her to racing venues (CRW). OTOH, the boat bucks involved are probably about 20% of the boat's current value which I will unlikely recover when I sell her, new rigging or not. Thanks in advance, Charlie Nelson Water Phantom 1995 C&C 36 XL/kcb
Thanks to all of the subscribers that contributed to the list to help with the costs involved. If you want to show your support to the list - use PayPal to send contribution -- https://www.paypal.me/stumurray Thanks - Stu
