Standing Rigging: Step by Step Guide To Re-rigging your Yacht

How to Measure and Replace Yacht Standing Rigging: A Comprehensive Guide

Replacing standing rigging on a yacht may seem daunting, but following a structured approach can make the process manageable. Whether you choose to replace rigging with the mast up or down, accurate measurements and careful planning are essential.

Step-by-Step Guide to Measuring and Replacing Yacht and Dinghy Rigging

1. Decide Whether to Work with the Mast Up or Down

• Mast Down: If time and resources allow, lowering the mast simplifies the process. It provides better access for inspection and measurement.
• Mast Up: Standing rigging can be replaced with the mast stepped, normally one stay or shroud at a time while the mast is safely supported. Depending on the installation and how the replacement is being measured, one option is to supply the wire slightly over-length with the upper terminal professionally swaged and fit a suitable mechanical terminal at the lower end in situ.

2. Inspect Existing Standing Rigging

• Check for signs of wear, corrosion, and deformation.
• Take photos and mark tension settings for reference.
• Consider any design or specification alterations.

3. Gather Measurement Tools

• Tape measure or calibrated ruler
• Tension gauge for assessing wire tension
• Notepad or digital device for recording measurements

4. Measuring Standing Rigging

• Forestay & Backstay: Measure from the masthead attachment point to the deck fitting.
• Shrouds: Measure from the mast attachment point to the chainplate.
• Turnbuckles & Terminals: Include their lengths in your measurements. If you are unsure which fitting is installed, see our standing rigging terminal guide.
• Rigging Screws: Ensure adjustment range is considered.
• Measuring Wire Diameter
  • Use vernier calipers to measure the wire diameter.
  • Ensure the correct diameter is recorded, as terminals are manufactured to fit specific wire sizes.
• Measuring Rigging Length
  • Lay the rigging flat and taut.
  • Measure from bearing surface to bearing surface (e.g., from the eye of one terminal to the eye of the opposite terminal).
  • The bearing edge is the point/surface at the end of a termination that will take the load i.e. the inside edge of an eye.
  • Examples of this are shown below:
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
  • If ordering rigging with a rigging screw or turnbuckle, first return it to the marked or recorded setting used before the rigging was removed. Measure the complete assembly between the correct bearing points and record the rigging screw position so that the available adjustment range can be reproduced in the replacement.
  • Our website will accept a length to 3 decimal points. However, this is not usually practicable. We aim to produce your rigging to a tolerance of + or - the diameter of the wire
  • Please take extra care when ordering because once a custom built product has been started (cut) it can neither be cancelled nor returned for a refund.

5. Ordering Replacement Standing Rigging

If you are measuring your own rigging for manufacture, our Supported Supply-Only Standing Rigging service gives you direct access to our rigging team for measurement checks, terminal identification and installation questions.

• If the mast is down and accurate finished measurements are available, each wire can normally be manufactured to the confirmed finished length with the required terminals fitted.
• If the mast remains stepped, discuss the replacement method before ordering. Depending on the rig and installation, the wire may be supplied to a confirmed finished length or supplied over-length with a suitable mechanical terminal fitted in situ.

If your yacht uses Dyform or compacted strand wire, you can configure custom Dyform / compacted strand standing rigging to your required finished length with professionally fitted terminals.

If your yacht uses conventional 1x19 stainless wire, you can also configure custom 1x19 yacht standing rigging using your confirmed wire diameter, finished length and terminal requirements.

6. Standing Rigging Checklist

• Tune and tension check on existing rigging.
• Close inspection of all components, including measuring diameters.
• Determine possible improvements.
• Order process for mast unstepped vs. mast remaining stepped.

7. Installation Considerations

• If replacing rigging screws, ensure compatibility with existing fittings.
• Consider split, adjustable, or insulated backstays.
• Account for forestay foibles caused by headsail furler fittings.

Conclusion