"Selden are recalling forestay fittings 517-918 manufactured between 2004-2008 which have failed due to a crack in the welding. The crack develops along the weld on the rear side of the fitting inside the mast. It is not visible from the outside. All the failed fittings originated from long distance cruising boats with inadequate rig tuning and long periods of sailing using only the genoa."

How dangerous is this? On the Newfoundland cruise in July 2011, Glide was dismasted, which made us very wary suddenly, and when we hauled Al Shaheen out for the season we spent a considerable amount having the stays, forestays and all fittings checked. How often does this need to be done? There 's a generally held view promoted by insurance companies that all standing rigging should be replaced every 10 years. However, is this necessary? Would an effective inspection routine obviate this need? Does anyone have any views on the practicablity of ultra-sonic or radiographic methods of determining of testing rigging terminations, screws and chain-plates?

Hi.
I have replaced all my rigging with StaLok terminals, and more importantly, the 316 chainplates with AlNiBr. A useful test for the chainplates is to hang one from a metal rod (ie screwdriver) through the clevis pin hole and tap with a hammer. A clear ring shows a good chainplate, a dull(ish) clang shows crevice corrosion. Reversing the chainplate to hang from the bottom bolt hole gives a comparison, but the difference is very clear. Why boatbuilders continue to use 316 is a puzzle, as the chainplate through-deck area is the classic area for CCS (crevice corrosion).
Another common problem I´ve seen is boats with genoa furling systems with only one toggle. On our Profurl system we need a toggle on the stemhead fitting, and another where the forestay connects to the drum link plates.
Finally, when renewing the rigging, one should ask for a copy of the manufacturers test certificate which will show drum number, actual vs standard dia, and actual vs standard breaking strain. If this isn´t provided, I wouldn´t touch the wire.
Hope this helps.
Yousr aye,
Bill

Hi, I fairly recently spoke to insurers ref replacing my rigging after 14 seasons. They felt it was worth the expense but did not insist. They did however point out that if the rig failed the likely payout would substantially reduce.

I asked what was the most common type off rig failure. Answer was the forestay within furling system. Out of sight and out of mind and difficult to inspect!

John B