? re: H18 rigging

I just purchased a 1984 H18. Previous owner sais all rigging was replaced 2 years ago. It is vinyl coated and does appear to be in very good condition. I noticed in the HOBIE catalog that the OEM shrouds use a swaged thimble on the upper end and a swaged eye on the lower. My shrouds have swaged thimbles on both ends. I guess this means this is aftermarket rigging? Is the swaged thimble weaker than the eye? Should I be worried?

I think in theory, the nicopressed thimble fittings are weaker than the swaged eyes due to the fact that the wire has to be bent around a corner to make the thimbles. But since Hobie uses the thimble at the top anyway, that means that they consider the thimble to be strong enough, so I don't see any reason it couldn't be used at both ends. Just make sure your shrouds are the correct diameter and in good condition (no kinks, corrosion, or cracks) and you should be ok.

sm

I think they were probably made by a boat owner. Buy new Hobie rigging.

_________________
Bodhisatfa

At our S. Club, we once tried to save a few dollars and have the local chandlery make up a set of H18 shrouds. Never again. And the local guys are 'good people'. The 'never again' refers to me.

Sure, the side stays were good, and in fact, they still work just fine. However, when you compare the Hobie OEM quality, and the fact that Hobie uses not one but TWO nicopress thingies at each end, I'd go with those who say 'stick with the Hobie quality, and you'll have no problems.' At the end, I think we saved $14, I'd rather we had spent the extra to get 'the right part'.

_________________
2015 H16, with spin,
SOLD 1989 Hobie SX18 Sail # 1947 "In Theory..."
'Only two things are infinite, the universe, and human stupidity. But I'm not sure about the former.'

buy new Hobie rig. If you shrouds are 2 years old I'd replace them. Also check you anchor pins bridles and forstay. I had an anchor pin break releasing a shroud. Demasted in san francisco bay . $500 in damage but luckily no injuries to me or my crew. I replace my standing rig every 2 years with no exceptions the price is well worth the peace of mind.

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Rich Vilvens
F-18 5150
[email protected]
http://www.sailblogs.com/member/f-185150sailing/

I've read a couple of replys to this article and have a question. I purchased a used Hobie 18 that sat in the open sun with the mast up for several years.

The shrouds and forestay have no bends, kinks, or broken strands. However most of the vinyl coating is cracked off(or cracking off) exposing the SS cables. There is no corrosion on the cables. From the information in the other reply's they appear to be the OEM Hobie cables with the two crimps at the top.

If the vinyl coating is crumbling off, does this affect the integrity of the cables? If I should replace the cables should I steer clear of ANY/ALL aftermarket cables?

Thanks for any information.

The purpose of the vinyl coating is to protect the sails from abrasion against stainless steel wires. It also provides a nice finished look to the wires. Sounds like the coating has been sun-fried as a result of UV exposure over several years of sitting outside. However, UV exposure isn't going to weaken the actual stainless steel wires. But, the failing vinyl coating is definitely a sign that the wires have been on the boat for many years and may be in need of replacing even if they look ok.

I've had fine results using shrouds from Murrays Marine. But most people will say stick with Hobie OEM and that's probably the best advice. High quality shrouds are definitely worth the investment.

sm

[quote="RobBartz"]I've read a couple of replys to this article and have a question. I purchased a used Hobie 18 that sat in the open sun with the mast up for several years.quote]

...unless everything was tensioned up nice and you are sure that the mast was lashed tight to prevent rotation and repeated loading of the rigging from every wind gust or storm...I am pretty sure that Matt Miller has discussed the necessity of preventing mast movement on a cat with the rig left up...I would believe that any expert would say to replace it.

I like to run them until one fails I don't agree with the replacement theory of 2 years, the wires are good for much longer than that. Even new wires can fail. I say no corrosion and no kinks or stray wires you are most likely good to go. I sail primarily in open ocean so a dismast won't hit anyone or anything. I have been sailing my 18s for 30yrs and never dropped a mast due to a failed wire, in fact, have never dismasted period.

Check'em over good, replace what looks suspicious, and go sailing!