When selecting rigging for your sailboat, there are two standard options available: wire rigging and rod rigging. Wire rigging, consisting of multi-wire strands, has been the traditional choice due to its availability and cost. Rod rigging, preferred on racing and high-performance vessels, provides a superior service life and increased efficiency (speed) under sail. When it comes to your boat stays and shrouds, which should you choose for your sailboat? Below are a few points you should consider when comparing options and ultimately deciding which rigging option to install or replace on your ship.
Importance of Rigging Type Selection
There are many considerations when selecting rigging type, and it’s important to understand your options to make informed decisions. What rigging does is stabilize the mast, which in turn allows sails to more easily catch the wind and translate that to motion. Rigging components include shrouds and stays in various locations around the mast, from forestays to triatic stays, and your choices include wire rigging and rod rigging material. What are the main differences between these two options? In general, a side-by-side comparison shows that rod rigging provides higher performance and increases the longevity of your rigging vs. traditional wire rigging of your sailboat. While both choices provide potential benefits, and ideal for racing boats, rod rigging also lasts longer when used on cruisers and is an advisable alternative to wire.
Rod Rigging Provides Longer Service Life
Rod Rigging is a single strand of high-quality steel material with low-stretch and a high breaking load. Rods last longer than wire rigging, and provide a further sustained service life due to it being more corrosion-resistant than its counterpart. With this reliability, rod rigging is chosen for good reason –rod rigging lasts longer. Rod rigging outlasts wire rigging by approximately 10 years (wire generally lasts 10 years while rod rigging lasts on average, 20).
Rod Rigging Provides Superior Performance
Wire rigging is made of strands inside a single cable and they tend to stretch under load, which means potential loss of wind energy. Due to its lack of potential stretch, rod rigging captures all wind, meaning higher performance, and a boat that sails at a much faster pace. Adding to this increased performance: rod rigging provides a reduced weight while maintaining higher strength. Due to this, rod rigging is the choice for performance.
If you’re looking for high-performance and longevity, look no further than rod rigging. Central Wire Industries UK has rod rigging alloys in stock and the ability to manufacture the sizes and lengths that you need. For more information please visit our website at www.centralwire.co.uk today.