How can I be sure my rigging is good?

[scoobert]

Originally Posted by GordMay

Was that a visual inspection*, revealing no visible signs of corrosion?

* Not Dye Penetrant, Ultrasonic, nor Magnetic Particle Inspections

the rigger i contacted does not use dye. he did not say why.

[Sailmonkey]

Originally Posted by scoobert

the rigger i contacted does not use dye. he did not say why.

Are you sure you got a real rigger?

[scoobert]

Originally Posted by Sailmonkey

Are you sure you got a real rigger?

as opposed to a fake one?

[Sailmonkey]

Originally Posted by scoobert

as opposed to a fake one?

Or one that is aware of what can/cannot be seen on a failing swage.

[GordMay]

Originally Posted by scoobert

the rigger i contacted does not use dye. he did not say why.

Did he recommend using a magnifier?

[Sailmonkey]

Freeze thaw cycles are just as hard on the rig as salt exposure. You may not be able to see the micro cracks at all unless they're being pushed open by frozen fresh water.

[Alecadi]

The more I'm reading your posts, in that thread or in others, or your blog, and seeing the pictures, the more I'm convinced neither you nor your boat are ready for this trip offshore. Every time somebody give you the sound advice to postpone until you are ready you are putting your head in the sand. Are your kids coming with you? I suppose so. Don't play with their lives. For their sake don't do it. Please.

[scoobert]

Originally Posted by GordMay

Did he recommend using a magnifier?

cotton balls.

[GordMay]

Originally Posted by scoobert

cotton balls.

That only reveals broken wire strands, or fish/meat-hooks.

[tropicalescape]

Originally Posted by sailorboy1

I think the 10 year "rule" on rigging is like the change your car oil every 3000 miles "rule". It doesn't take any type of use into account, but sure is in favor of the rigger and oil change companies.

I estimate that in the past 10 years use my rigging has the equivalent of 173 of 24 hour days use. And I bet 75% of that is in wind less than 15 knots. Compare that to loading and time on the cables in the average suspension bridge and I just don't feel my rigging is in a lot of danger.

I agree with this ,I fly hangliders that are 30 yrs old at "the classic" every year and I have had no problems with cables "letting go",as said before check them over and if they aint broke they will most likly be ok,maybe ,perhaps,should be (but who knows?)

[lancelot9898]

To be completely sure that your rigging is good on an old boat, you need to completely replace everything including the chain plates. If you have the skills, do it yourself and verify that the materials that you're using is up to stuff. Anything less than that and you become less certain that the rigging is good to go. Proper inspections can take the place of a complete retrofit, but you're loss a little of being absolutely sure that the rigging is fine. Defining a proper inspection is problematic.

[Paul Elliott]

Originally Posted by tropicalescape

I agree with this ,I fly hangliders that are 30 yrs old at "the classic" every year and I have had no problems with cables "letting go",as said before check them over and if they aint broke they will most likly be ok,maybe ,perhaps,should be (but who knows?)

Do your hang gliders stay outdoors, live in a salt water / salt spray environment, and undergo continuous cycling/shock loads and occasional freezing cycles? That might make a difference.

But I do agree that the "ten year rule" is probably overly cautious in most cases.

[Cheechako]

I could see the pvc being a pretty good protective device. There is likely plenty of afresh ir in there to avoid crevice corrosion and they generally keep the water and salt off.
You just have to do the best you can and go for it. I can think of a couple of boats with new rigging that broke shrouds in the first couple years off shore... so nothing's perfect...

[DumnMad]

Still don't know if the boat has seen much salt water however, for peace of mind Scoob, I would have a die test done and if the rigger is over 30yrs old I suggest he uses a magnifying glass. Might also need to probe inside strands.

[captain465]

Scoobert is at it again...........he asks a question (how can I be sure my rigging is safe), then proceeds to tell everyone that has constructive advice how he is sure that there is no problem. This has happened in several post that he has made. He asks in another post as to how long it will take him to go from Albany,NY to Miami ,FL. Much advice (almost 300 total posts) and he is sure it will take him only 5 to 7 days!!!! He is a master of asking a question, and then telling all that give him sound advice that he knows better.