Replacing standing rigging in SF Bay Area

[Mary Mac]

I want to replace my standing rigging and possibly the chainplates soon. My boat is in Alameda. I'm thinking about doing it all myself and ordering everything at Svendsen's or West Marine, but would consider a rigger also. It would be nice to have someone experienced at least take a look at it before and after. Does anyone have a recommendation?

[allen]

The first two riggers I used have retired. The rigging I have now came with the mast and was done by Buzz except the backstay which was done by the rigger at BMC. I know you don't like them but they are pretty close if they still have a rigger you might want to check them out. The guy I used is gone. I bought lifelines from Rigging Only back east. If you are just looking to duplicate what you have and install it yourself you might want to check them out. If you think you can get another tenth of a knot and want some advice on changing your rigging to accomplish that and are made of money, Hansen is pretty good I hear.

My view on rigging is that it is either really easy or really hard. Just changing your rigging because it is old is in the first category. Changing from dual lowers to a single lower is in the second. Pretty close to anyone can do the easy stuff.

If you boat is anything like mine, and it for sure isn't, there is the question of how to rig it because nothing is where it should be. I ended moving the opening in my cabin top to get the mast where I wanted it. That generated a huge discussion. To do it right you need survey equipment and lots of expertise. So who you need "depends".

There is a letter on my website from Lapworth on how to set up the rigging. Let me know if you can't find it.

Allen
L-36.com

[SailingChris]

Here in Michigan, our boats come out of the water each fall, and both of mine get their masts unstepped for storage. The older boat got new standing rigging when it reached about 40 years of age (20 California tears, since it is unstressed half the year). It was easy to replace: remove each item and label it; haul the collection to the guy who swaged to match each one.

I have not replaced chainplates but recall reading in Practical Sailor (lamented now that it's gone) that most folks take their old chainplates to a machine shop for duplication in the correct version of stainless (which I always forget and have to look up).

Chris Campbell
Cal 20 # 1220, Martha C

[Mary Mac]

Thank you for the information Allen and Chris. There are plenty of machine shops nearby. I'm just replacing the rigging due to it being old and it is the final thing stopping me from sailing my boat to LA.

Allen, I haven't been able to locate the Lapworth article. Would you link it here?

[Scrimshaw]

Hi Mary

Changing the standing rigging and chain plates is very easy to do, providing no repairs are needed to the mast or bulkhead. When I did it, I made certain the standing rigging and chains plates could be quickly duplicated. I took one of the old chain plates to a sheet metal shop for use as a pattern. The shop duplicated the plates with the same type of stainless steel in about one hour. It cost me about $200 for material and labor. I am glad I replaced the chain plates. One of them had a crack which was hard to notice until I removed it from the bulkhead. I also replaced all the bolts and nuts which was probably not necessary.

warren fox
scrimshaw, cal 34, III
marina del rey, ca

[Mary Mac]

Thank you, Warren. Any recommendations on a good marina in MDR?

[rcvesselstyn]

Hi Mary. I had two chainplates made up at a shop in Gardena that was recommended by King Harbor Marine Center. It was 300$ for two. A easy swap-out with new bolts nuts and washers. Several of the bolts were compromised with crevice corrosion and outright failure. The shrouds and turnbuckles were copied at West Marine in Newport. We still have not finished the complete job.

[Mary Mac]

Thank you, Randy. I may get some quotes down here, also.

[Scrimshaw]

Hi Mary

You asked a tough question. There have been so many changes in Marina del Rey, that I no longer have any information. I am a member of Del Rey Yacht club, the club has its own slips for members (extra cost). There are other yacht clubs that also have some slips for their members. Most of the slips are open to the general public and access to showers. There are other slips open to the general public that come with access to use of apartment facilities such has swimming pool and gym/activity rooms. The boat yards also rent slips. Unfortunately, slips in MDR are expense.

You might start by using google with an inquiry "boat slips Marina del Rey". Then if something looks good visit the slip on a week end and talk to nearby boat owners.

I would enjoy meeting meeting you as a guest at my club.

warren fox
scrimshaw, cal 34, III
marina del rey

[allen]

https://l-36.com/Lapworth_letter.png

I think this is the highest resolution version I have. It is also on a webpage but you probably don't need to see the ads

For your reference, it was in articles -> L-36 specific articles -> Tuning the rigging.