Nicks on Forestay

[bbayne]

I'm having a yard install new standing rigging on my Fast Passage 39 and while I was installing the roller furling foil on the forestay I noticed some nicks in the cable about a third of the way up. From the looks of it, these nicks probably happened when the wire was on the roll as they span about 4 inches and are rusting (I assume the nick was caused by something ferrous). There are at least half a dozen nicks in many of the outside strands over that area and they look to be at least a third of the way through the wire. The boat yard says this won't compromise the wire and to go ahead and finish installing the foil over the nicked area. I'm concerned as this area isn't in plain site, so I won't be able to monitor it. Should I insist the stay be replaced? And if so, is there any reasoning I could use as an argument to insist on repacing the stay? Thanks!

bbayne

[Brion Toss]

Hello,
Maybe the boat yard is confusing this wire with high-modulus rope, in which the cover is there for chafe- and UV-protection, and all of the strength is in the core. Could be, could be. But I'd be more inclined to believe that they are completely out of their minds. Hidden by the foil or not, the kind of damage you describe is not to be countenanced.
Fair leads,
Brion Toss