Synthetic Rigging for Cruising Boats

[dougcn1]

I'm considering shifting to synthetic rigging for a 38' cruising sloop using something such as the Colligo (CSS) rigging system with a dyneema line such as Dynex Dux. My existing stainless wire/Navtec turnbuckle system is approaching the right time to replace it, so I'm weighing my options. I replace my lifelines with Amsteel and have been very pleased with the result. So now, I'm contemplating the rig.

The pros's I see are a slight cost advantage, ease of installation, visible warnings of impending failure, weight reduction, elimination of turnbuckles and a much lower replacement cost when it's time to renew the rig again later. All in all, it seems like you end up with a more maintainable, predictable rig.

My concerns are: chafe at the spreader tips, perception of sythetics by insurance companies and the market, and one aesthetic concern. That would be: when using deadeyes and lashings on the rig with one upper and two lower shrouds on each side, how do you get all of the deadeyes to be in roughly the same place with a comparable length between deadeyes?

Any thoughts on the subject?

[Brion Toss]

Hello,
Let me take the easy one first. Deadeyes will properly follow the sheer of the vessel, so they should all be the same distance above the rail.You measure the LOA, and deduct a standard length from all the shrouds, taking differing elasticities into account.
I agree witht the "pro's" you mention, and they are very strong pro's indeed. As for the con's, Colligo is also concerned with the chafe possibilities at the spreader tips; they have a fitting prototype now, and are working to make it maximally adaptable to different spreader ends. I am sure they would work with you on this. They are also working to introduce standardized shrouds, made to order, with or without covers.
As far as insurance companies and the market, you are talking about other people's perceptions. I'd say just don't throw your old rig away, and plan to sail the new gang until it is worn out, and then sell the boat with the old rig on it. Of course, by then Spectra might be accepted by one and all, and you could get a premium for the Spectra gang.
Fair leads,
Brion Toss

[Brian Duff]

You will find that John’s fittings will require some adaptation to fit onto the fitting currently on your rig now. There will be NO cost savings initially over a standard rigging replacement.

That said the pros are all there. The solution to the spreader tip is simple, but will require some modification to the current rig design you probably have now. OF course, modifications will be required anyway because the colligo terminators won't fit tangs or toggles having the matching pin size, and the distributors wont fit stainless chain plates with corresponding pin sizes. I have been trying to get john to change this stuff, but of course he already has a large stock of hardware so the mods are slow coming.

I am really excited about the concepts he has brought back into the rigging marketplace, and am trying to use the stuff anywhere I can. We have 3 rigs going together now with his hardware, and should have all 3 boats sailing by Aprils end. Photos will get onto my website AFTER sea trials are completed!

The spreader tip chafe should NOT be a problem when one thinks about it the right way and builds fittings appropriately (at least theoretically), but we will see once I get these boats sailing.


I say give it a try, do what brion said and keep the old kit on hand, along with any fittings you have to change out to make the colligo stuff work with your spar, so that you can change back if needed.
My only other thought is that the dux will not hold a percise enough rig tune for multi spreader rigs, so if thats the case maybe stick with stainless steel or go to vectran for the stays....maybe