You got it. Trailering, including the rubbing, bending, and kinking that occurs when raising the mast solo, has been tough on the shrouds. Since the forestay is not winding itself under tension around wings, shoes, motor mounts, or anything else while the mast is being raised, it doesn't see the same amount of rubbing and kinking. So that's where my shroud wear is coming from. I raise and lower the mast every time I sail.
My concern about the forestay, even though I inspect it every sail, is that it's got so many parts that can fail, and some of them are wrapped in the sail or hidden inside the fuller where I can easily see them. Also wear inside the swivel worries me. I just ordered the furler tune up kit, forestay assembly, yoke, and adjuster from backyard boats, just out of abundance of caution. I'm sailing too much now that I'm retired to expect continued long life from old hardware.
_________________ Don Strongsville (near Cleveland) OH Lake Erie sailor, mostly 2011 Getaway "Happy Couple"
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