Page 148 - Barbara Merry - The Splicing Handbook

Even if you never splice a wire on your boat, careful inspection of all wire and
splices (as well as the parceling and service protecting those splices) should be
part of your routine maintenance. (Molly Mulhern)
Over the years, the owner has made changes to Sea Fire. He lengthened her

pulpit to allow for a different foresail, and he added running backstays. He called
on Tim Witten of Bristol, Rhode Island, to rig the boat. Tim is an experienced
and knowledgeable rigger who, after discussing and studying pictures and plans,
matched the existing rigging. The work was performed in my shop. A beginner
at the time, I was happy to let Tim take the lead while I did all the splicing and
swaging.
Elizabeth Helen is a 65-foot (20 m) western-rig steel fishing boat. Her owner
fishes out of Point Judith, Rhode Island, for squid, herring, and flounder. A day
boat, her rigging is ¾-inch (19 mm) galvanized, and her paravanes are 9/16-inch
(14 mm) galvanized. The fittings are swaged hard eyes shackled straight to pad
eyes on the deck.

The fourth vessel is the beautiful 38-foot (12 m) gaff-rigged schooner Winfield
Lash. The owner commissioned Lash Boatyard in Friendship, Maine, to build
the boat’s hull. He completed the vessel in his backyard and commissioned
Brion Toss to rig her. Toss hand spliced and served all the wire rigging in
traditional fashion.

INSPECTING AND CARING FOR WIRE

Wire on boats is subject to many stresses, ranging from the corrosiveness of salt
air to the pressure caused by pounding and rolling seas. The insides of wire
terminals and barrel fittings can collect water, leading to corrosion. Wire rope is
sneaky—corrosion can hide, becoming evident only after a rig has toppled. Use

a magnifying glass to really see what’s going on—small cracks are places where
water can enter, so pay attention to them. Once the outer coating of stainless is
breached, rusting and pitting can begin. If you see that in your rigging wire,
attend to it swiftly. Inspect shrouds for bends in the wires and frayed ends,
picturesquely named “meat hooks.” Most sailboat rigs should not be considered
strong if they are older than ten years.

SAFETY TIP

Working with wire is hazardous.
First and foremost, always wear safety
glasses. Gloves help prevent cuts