I'm about to buy new rigging and i'm debating if I should get shrouds that are coated or not.

I realize coated shrouds increase hydrolysis and make it hard to see anything wrong with the wire so i'd rather go with uncoated. My cocnern thought, is how much does uncoated wire wear on mylar sails? I have patches of sail tape where the shrouds rub mostly but will uncoated shrouds wear through the sail quickly? I haven't had uncoated shrouds since I had dacron sails.

Thanks

uncoated. keep an eye on the tape over the batten pockets and should be good. I don't like not being able to see the stays (although I do have my bridle lines covered so the spin sheets go around easier)

i use slip on covers. They are very cheap and i use 2 - 10' pieces on my 30' shrouds. This allows me to slide them up where any sail/stay friction would be.

they are a bit of a pain to put on (they are easier if left in a back window of a car to warm up and soften) but once on, they easily slide up and down for inspection and can even be totally removed and put back on for inspections.

I have PERSONALLY found ALL the broken strands and concern directly above or around the nicopress or on the swage and never in the middle area..

I was on a boat last weekend in 18knot that demasted from a few broken strands (not my boat)

Last time I ordered wires (custom, not stock) the guy at the rigging shop told me that they've not found a coated wire that is as high quality as uncoated wire.

I had a set of coated stays fail in the surf at Daytona.

I peeled the coating off my F18 wires and found that wear on the sail greatly accelerated and that I put a lot of marks, wearing completely through the anodizing, in the mast where it rotates against the shrouds. I would probably still go with uncoated wire but I would put extra chafe protection on the sail and wrap the wires with electrical tape where they contact the mast.

I think i'm sold on uncoated.
I've found that electrical tape doesn't last too long on the shrouds.
Does anyone out there know of a type of heat shrink coating or something like that that will stay in place?

you could use some of the removable plastic covers (they are labeled as lifeline covers I think at West Marine) and put those up top where it contacts the mast. Might need to 5200 it there though or they will move around.

Coated wire produce more friction than uncoated. Simple test. grab a coated wire and run your hand up and down it quickly while gripping it firmly. Now do it with a uncoated wire. I think you'll have your answer.

Also coated wire makes the wire larger which adds drag.

friction on what?

Rigging tape. http://store.catsailor.com/pc/viewPrd.asp?idcategory=0&idproduct=9710

Kris
F-16

My FXone came with uncoated wires, I replaced them with uncoated wires. I've been told that injuries in a crash can be greater from uncoated. I doubt it though.

the "wire rash" can be quite painful if you graze it during a peter-pan-maneuver.

On the sail. Friction = Wear. If it's blowing good at some point the main is going to be on the shroud regardless of the boat. I would want mine rubbing on something that has less friction. Older covered wires are worse for it. Rub your hand up and down one and see.

Uncovered wires are lighter.

The only reason for covered wires is they're stylish

I was recently given some "good" black coated Hobie 18 wires that has been in salt water some years before before being stored for 10(?) years. The trap wires were completely rusted away inside the lumpy coating. The also lumpy shroud wires- equally bad. Didn't trust them: All Shot.
I also have some 20-year old used uncoated A-cat wire shrouds and trap wires: They have been sailed in salt and fresh, then left outdoors in the rain for several years. They are good as new: No fishhooks or broken strands.