RIGGING – Our rigging was the original from 2003, and as predicted the rig survey had recommended going for a full rig replacement.
We had contemplated doing this ourselves but having made numerous enquires on where to source 12mm and 16mm wire from our DIY plans started to go adrift. Getting wire in Europe, not just Europe but infact world wide, caused us to enquire as to who could do it, and more importantly supply the 200m of wire and turnbuckles we required in the next month.
We were lucky, through a recommendation via Sint Maarten we found Andy from No Limits. An experienced rigger on our doorstop in Almariam. He was able to source the materials, he came on the day he committed to, brough a great guy called Chris along to do most of the high wire stuff and had the task completed in four days. No messing, just hard graft under the piercing Spanish sun and some good problem solving, including bringing the swageing machine to the quayside to tackle the forstay.
Our only regret is deciding to replace the main halyard with Mega twin 07, 12mm, which is 30% dynema. We had a 2;1 halyard set up and Andy suggested replacing this with the Mega twin ,single line. We wanted to also replace the toping lift and use the old halyard as the topping lift.
It was two days into our sail to Tunisia that we realized the old halyard that we switched to the topping lift was positioned to cause chaff on the main halyard. Four days in and the damage was done, new halyard already chaffed.
RECOMMENDATION – for replacing standing rigging Andy of No limits – excellent.
LESSON – Go full Dynema for main halyard on a 57 ft cat. The 2;1 will be coming back also.
I like the skateboard being used in the lower image?