Page 177 - The Complete Rigger’s Apprentice

Figure 5-33. Inches of stretch per 50 feet, at 25 per-
cent load, for the stay constructions in Figure 5-30.

inch difference separating 1 x 19 stainless and rod
rigging.
Whether this difference is worth bothering with
depends on the boat. The wider spreader angles on
cruisers lessen shroud strain and the distance that
the masthead travels to leeward for a given amount
of stretch. A lower-aspect rig accomplishes the same
thing. But the fastest boats have the tallest, narrow-
est rigs, with shroud chainplates set well inboard so Figure 5-34. Retail prices per foot for the stay con-
they can sheet in those huge genoas; utter inelastic- structions shown in Figure 5-30 change each year.
ity is required, so rod rigging can make sense. But relative prices, shown above, remain the same.

Flexibility The only formula you need to know
here is that more strands equal more flexibility. So any wire. A good choice for spliced standing rig-
rod is the least flexible and 7 x 19 wire and HSR are ging is 7 x 7 because it is relatively docile and easily
the most flexible of the constructions we’re consid- worked, while 1 x 19 can be, um, challenging.
ering. Greatest flexibility is required for halyards, so
7 x 19 is the only construction to use if you want Cost So much for engineering; now we get to the
wire halyards. But if you are willing to venture into important question, “What’s it gonna cost me?” The
Spectra territory, you can use a material that is sig- answers can be found in Figure 5-34, a cost-per-foot
nificantly stronger, less elastic, and much lighter, chart. Compare this to Figures 5-30 and 5-33, and
among other virtues. Running back pendants, span you can see what you get for your money.
wires, straps, and bowsprit shrouds are good in 7 x 7 It’s easy to see why 1 x 19 wire is the overwhelm-
or 7 x 19, because these constructions are less prone ing first choice for most contemporary craft: the
to damage by kinking in these applications than 1 x combination of good weight, windage, and elasticity
19 is. But again, the right forms of Spectra can work characteristics, and a relatively low price. HSR costs
even better. And if structural considerations can be more per foot, but, especially if you splice it yourself,
satisfied, Spectra is a breeze to splice compared to the cheapness of the terminals can bring overall costs

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