[Public-List] Alberg 30 Rig Weak Links

[John Birch]

Hi Michael,

I can't make such a recommendation sight unseen. If you are that concerned, 
suggest a surveyor to make an inspection with the mast down.

If the wire has never been replaced, it would be prudent to put that in your 
budget, particularly as this boat was a Florida boat (aka salt water) and if 
the mast was up for 30 years, it doesn't sound like the wire has been 
replaced.

I got a pretty good deal from Norseman Marine in Florida for wire and 
Norseman terminals 15 years ago when I went to 316 ss dyform wire (316 
dyform is gross overkill - good 302 or 304 ss would be more than adequate) I 
bought new open body turnbuckles at the same time too.

I used a dermal fiber cutting disc to cut all the wire - one cutting disk 
did the whole rig cut. remember to tape with masking tape the wire before 
cutting so you don't splay the ends as it cuts. Does the job in short order.

The work is easily done by a reasonably handy amateur, just read Norseman's 
instructions which come in the box with each terminal.

Buy a couple of spare cones for inside the reusable Norseman terminals, the 
first assembly will take about hulk an hour, once you get the hang of it 
assembly will take 5-10 minutes. remember to use a non acidic caulking - 
Norseman can advise you.

Keep your old shrouds for measuring the appropriate lengths and make sure 
you get the right clevis pin diameters.

Best

John

----- Original Message ----- 
From: <crufone at comcast.net>
To: "Alberg 30 Public List -- open to all" <public-list at lists.alberg30.org>
Sent: Sunday, January 17, 2010 10:19 AM
Subject: Re: [Public-List] Alberg 30 Rig Weak Links


>
>
> John,
>
> Would you recommend that I not sail the boat until the Nicro Press 
> fittings are replaced.
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "John Birch" <Sunstone at cogeco.ca>
> To: "Alberg 30 Public List -- open to all" 
> <public-list at lists.alberg30.org>
> Sent: Sunday, January 17, 2010 10:17:10 AM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern
> Subject: Re: [Public-List] Alberg 30 Rig Weak Links
>
> Actually Michael, I believe nicro presses are copper, not bronze.
>
>
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: <crufone at comcast.net>
> To: "Alberg, Public List" <public-list at alberg30.org>
> Sent: Sunday, January 17, 2010 10:00 AM
> Subject: [Public-List] Alberg 30 Rig Weak Links
>
>
>>
>> John Birch wrote,
>> Harry was of the opinion that the Alberg masts suffered from a lack of 
>> the
>> compression tube and was critical of the excessive number of holes Whitby
>> had in the area of the spreaders including installing the steaming light
>> so
>> close to the spreaders.
>> Also, if you have nicro presses on your shrouds at the mast head and
>> spreader bases instead of proper terminals, there is a unanimous 
>> consensus
>> from Harry, Danny and every surveyor I know that this is a bad bad bad
>> practice. They should be swaged terminals at least, norseman or staloc's
>> being much much better.
>>
>> Best
>> John
>>
>> John; great information to have indeed,
>> Oh NO another item to address on my #133. All of my Standing rigging has
>> the bronze Nicro Press fittings installed. In most cases there is only 
>> one
>> crimp fitting per terminal. I say that they are bronze because they have 
>> a
>> slight green colouration. All the wire and the fittings look to be in
>> Excellent condition. I was going to wait a couple of seasons before
>> replacing the wire rigging, but now you have me concerned. I had not 
>> heard
>> from the Alberg group that the Nicro Press fittings failed and were
>> generally "bad News".
>> Another item not mentioned is the aft chain plate for the aft stay. I
>> would think with all this talk about the Dynamic loads while sailing that
>> one should inspect that fitting as well as the shroud chain plates.
>> I wonder if the 1/4" bolts are adequate but should be inspected regularly
>> and replace every 5 years or so. There are many items on our boats that
>> owners do not inspect for fatigue at regular enough intervals. Your talk
>> of the cycling effect on the accumulation of fatigue makes me think that
>> we should all have a check list of regular inspections/replacements.
>> I agree that the cast aluminum mast head fitting appears to be a weak
>> link. Many production sailboats used them. I know of NO rig failure of an
>> Alberg 30 because of the mast head fitting failure. Do you know of any?
>> Some years ago I purchased a 1966 Seafarer and asked the previous owner
>> when he last had the mast down. He responded not since he had brought the
>> boat to Florida and that was about 30 years ago!! I decided to unstep the
>> mast at my earliest opportunity.
>> Thanks for you most helpful comments
>> Michael #133
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>
>
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