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Does anyone know what diameter rigging is correct for Toppie (also the bridle, non-running for backstay)???
Anyone who has recently replaced rigging/had it done, what size was fitted.
Thanks gals and guys.

Felicite was replaced with Code 6, 5mm dia rigging. Same as was fitted.
Greg.

If you spend a lot of time at sea I would go a size bigger.

Cheers,
Mark

The rigging was done by two qualified riggers Paul Minter in Sydney in 2000 and Bryan Philips in Swansea, both are qualified riggers and the extra size is not worth the expense. I've asked the question too.

Felicite has raced at sea with one of the few Clubs that regularly race ocean races and has a lot of sea miles under her. Going up an extra size changes the size of all the terminals.
Greg.

BIGGER IS NOT ALWAYS THE BEST!!!!!!
Ex girlfriend told me that !
BEAR

Bear, that ex-girlfriend sounds like she knew a thing or two about 'rigging'.

The rigging on Storm Petrel was replaced in 2005 (just before I bought her) by an experienced rigger for the previous owner who intended to make an ocean passage with Stormy (before he fell ill). The rigger kept the wire at 5mm dia but replaced the u-bolt chain plates with much heavier duty welded stainless chain plates. I sail almost entirely outside, in all conditions. I have been knockdown and had water flood into the cockpit and the 5mm has held up fine so far with only a tweak to tighten it now and again.

Nevertheless, when I re-rigged her I would still consider going up a size if the cost was not outragous. It would give you that little bit of extra confidence when you saw the mast dipping into the water.

Cheers,
Mark

Hi Mark

As you know Egret II 's rig is old but over sized ? She too has spent most of her 38 years outside cruising the N.S.W coast and only the past 7 years inside since ,for family commitments ! Mr Greg has it right ! I personally believe if you want to go bigger rigging why not bigger mast section ,double spreader rig so on and so on . I think the heavier the rig the more strain you put on the rest of the Top Hat. Where as if you keep it as designed and change sails as conditions prevail ,I don't see why you need bigger standing rigging.

Cheers Bear

G'day Bear,

I think you are probably right Bear about 5mm wire being OK.

I based my desire for slightly thicker wire on the old offshore safety rule for mono-hulls, of a rigging wire having to have a minimum breaking strain of twice the keel ballast weight. A Mk11 has a ballast of of 1340kg (a little heavier than a Mk1) requiring a rigging wire with a minimum braking strain of 2680kg if we follow the old safety 'rule'. 5mm 1/19 is quoted to have a minimum breaking stain of 2200kg which is pretty close but a little under the ideal, while 6mm has a breaking strain of 3200kg which is quite a bit higher than necessary. Can you get 5.5mm?

Cheers,
Mark

5.55mm is 7/32" which is what I used on Tales for offshore.

Tom

G'day Tom,

Yes, I think I will go to 7/32" next time.

Cheers,
Mark