[Douglas]

Ahoy Brion , A Big T Y , for that advice . I would like to purchase and view your aloft video , but time and shipping it to Singapore wasn't available .

Over here at Raffles boat yard , the cost of mobilizing a crane is SD $ 600.00 to pull the mast , and another SD $ 600.00 to mobilize it again to replace the mast , plus the yard fee for the storage/work space , and that amount of cash , just wasn't in the budget , this time .

Well , the job went well , probably because we followed your instructions from your prior talks and seminars , phew ! It was a "Heap of Work" , no wonder rigging costs so much .

Re-using the old Sta-Loks was not easy , first disassembly was tough enough , and removing the old silicon packing wasn't easy either , but the polishing and inspection was gratifying .

I did use a SS pickling paste on all the SS parts before final mirror polishing , hoping that would remove any iron contamination from my tool bits .

Often I worried about the Gauling Problems associated with SS and threaded parts when dry fitting to form the wire ends around the wedges , have you noticed problems like this ?

During cyclic loading on our 1 X 19 SS standing rigging , have you ever noticed that the Sta-Lok terminals have a tendency to un-screw , thus the reason Sta - Lok mfg recommends using Locktite on the threads ?

I also wonder if Sta - Lok should specify using Left Hand Lay , wire , as right hand lay tries to unwind a bit during the forming sequence .

Another nagging question that is on my mind is what grade or alloy are our clevis pins , and are 304 SS cotter pins the standard to use ? The bronze pins I installed back in 1998 , have serious corrosion problems .

Again Thank You , as I couldn't have had my cruising dream come true , without your advice and help , may God Bless you , " Mr knot " , as L & L have named you !

Douglas , BCC , S/V Calliste , Singapore .