Kinked forestay - Rod rigging

[TLF]

Due to some careless handling (not by us, honest) the forestay on my friends C&C 33 got kinked at the top, I did read somewhere that bent rod rigging will be OK if it's straightened before it's put back into service, it that true?

How does one straighten rod rigging? How does one ship it to be straightened if we can't (or shouldn't) do it ourselves?

If all else fails can we replace the damaged rod with wire?

Here is a pic of the kink in all it's glory.



TLF

[Neptunes Violin]

From Navtec rigging web site:

"Kinks or bends in the rod result in increased local stress and dramatically reduce the life of the rod. If a fitting or rod has operated in a bent, kinked or misaligned condition, it should be replaced, as the damage due to cycling cannot be undone. If a rod is bent and then straightened before it is used again, depending on the severity of the bend, it will frequently provide normal life. This is a judgment call and the Navtec Engineering Department should be consulted. Depending on the size and use of the yacht it is frequently wise to have the rig inspected by a professional annually."

Is there any way you can remove the bent piece and add, say, an extension at either the bow or the masthead?

[TLF]

Not really the furler runs pretty much the whole length of the forestay, there is not a lot of extra to play with.

TLF

[Ian McColgin]

Is it just me or is that installation really flawed - looks like bending is inevitable anytime you drop the stick.

[TLF]

I am inclined to agree, all it takes is one bump on the forestay and you're done for.
I did see the helpful soles drop the forestay at haul out but on reflection there was a lot of complaining about the sail not furling properly so it may have got damaged this spring, (I unfortunately was not present when the mast went up so can not say for sure) if that's the case the rigging is shot.

So moving on can you mix rod and wire rigging?

TLF

[Ian McColgin]

Likely it was already bent. I cannot understand any owner or competant rigger who'd have missed it but whatever.

What's the reason for a foil over rod? Is this some sort of super hottie? I don't know of a way to hand rod on wire, but the installation pictured looks pretty improvised anyway - like intended for wire and the interesting rod terminal plugged in.

If the owner wants to stay with rod, better modify that attachment to bend in both axies, fore and aft as well as athwartships.

G'luck

[TLF]

Actually it's not as bad as it looks, the foil is an Ultra-Furl (http://www.ultrafurl.com/furling/ultra.html) which is quite a nice piece of gear, what you see in the picture with the two allen head screws is just a stopper for the top of the foil, the other piece you see with an allen head screw is a collar for the foil sections, underneath that is a normal piece of rod rigging.

Interestingly the C&C 33 mast pictured behind has a different furler and a bent forestay.

It's a challenge indeed. modifying the attachment for better bending (360 deg) is an excellent idea.


TLF

[TLF]

How would I straighten this?
I was thinking of using a brake line bender, in a good careful way of course, not in a nasty bend the crap out of ones rigging way.

Suggestions?

BTW can I mix rod and wire rigging? Wire for the forestay, rod for the rest.

TLF

[Brian Duff]

try just clamping the rod in a vise between some wooden blocks, and bending by hand.

yes, a wire forestay can be mixed with rod rigging. consult your local rigger or rigging supplier for size and stretch concerns.