Vega Standing Rigging Overhaul.

I've finally decided to address an item on the boat that's been concerning me for some time: replacement of the forestay, hidden for years under an ailing and worn out CDI furler.

After removing the old furler I decided I didn't want it back on, so spent some time researching and decided on the Harken MKIV Unit 0 model.

My rigging wire appears to be the original sized 5mm diameter 1x19 stainless steel wire. The nearest size to this is Imperial measure  3/16", which is slightly smaller, hence weaker. Given the fact the wire is completely enclosed by the furler foil, and subject to more strain with the weight and windage of the furler,  I chose to upsize to 7/32" wire.

I've always wanted to try swageless fittings for the wire ends, as they make it possible to repair rigging in the field (ocean?) without extensive tools. More research here convinced me that Hayn Hi-Mod fittings fit the bill.

They have re-usable innards, and a unique crown ring that holds the outer wire strands perfectly even in individual grooves.

Unfortunately they arrived with the wrong sized crown rings, so I've been busying myself overhauling the rest of the standing rig, while I wait for the correct ones to appear.

SIN TACHA, our VEGA 27

Our boat, 'Sin Tacha' (Spanish for 'Without Faults') is a 1971 Albin Vega 27. She was built in Sweden, and is number 1331 of about 3500 that were made between 1968 and 1978. Here is a good review of her by John Vigor, courtesy of Good Old Boat Magazine.

She's the perfect small cruiser for these Pacific Northwest waters for a couple to cruise on, and yet is very easily managed as a single hander. And she loves to sail!

We bought her in Nov. 2005 and have been steadily upgrading her ever since. There is a link to a slide show of "improvements" in the right hand column.