Protecting Your Rigging - Hunter 50 Operator's Manual

B&R rigs have been used on thousands of sailboats, and
we are proud to incorporate this successful design on
your new Hunter.

12.10 Protecting Your Rigging

Without careful inspection and proper maintenance, the
rigging is subject to fatigue, wear, discoloration, and
therefore, product failure. Remember: regular inspection
and cleaning will increase the life of your investment and
secure your rigging. We suggest the following:
• Always rinse your rigging with fresh water after sail-
ing, especially salt-water sailing. Salt can create corro-
sion pits, causing cracks and deterioration.
• Clean with a water-soluble chlorine-free detergent.
Nonabrasive cleansers are best for hard white vinyl
coated cables.
• Inspect rigging for stains. Rust stains may indicate
stress cracks or corrosion. Remove stains with synthetic
or brass pads. Never use steel wool pads.
• Look for broken wires- a sign of fatigue in rigging.
Replace standing rigging if wires are broken.
• Never mix stainless steel and galvanized metals on
cable, fittings, pins, cotter keys, etc. If mixing dissimilar
metals, electric currents may conduct between metal
causing rapid deterioration
• Store rigging in a dry place. Never store in a plastic
bag, which can cause corrosion.
12.10.1 Sail Care
Sunlight is a sail's worst enemy, so cover the mainsail
when not in use. An ultraviolet guard, fitted down the
leech of a roller headsail will protect the exposed part
from the weathering effect of the sun and from dirt and
grit. Mildew, can be prevented by storing sails dry and by
hand washing twice a season. Check all sails regularly
for chafe, particularly where they chafe on deck fittings
or rigging, at reef points, batten sleeves and the foot of
the headsail. Sail batten pockets should be inspected on
a regular basis.
To stow the mainsail, start at the leech and flake it onto
the boom, left and right, in about 18-in. (46 cm) folds,
while pulling the leech aft. Secure with a sail tie and con-
tinue to the luff. Lash to the boom with sail ties or shock
cord.
12.10.2 General Hardware Maintenance
Check all fittings regularly to be sure screws are tight.
Occasionally lubricate (use silicone lubricants) all mov-
Hunter 50 • Sails and Rigging
ing parts on such fittings as blocks, turnbuckles and cam
cleats, as well as the locking pins of snatch blocks, track
slides, spinnaker poles, etc.
Inspect cleat and fairleads for roughness and smooth
with fine-grained emery paper if necessary. Also, replace
any missing or damaged cotter pins in turnbuckles and
shackles, and either tape them or use them or use pro-
tective covers manufactured for that purpose. Grease
winches a minimum of once yearly.
12.10.3 Winch Maintenance
Follow the maintenance instructions prescribed by winch
manufacturer. We recommend a minimum of an annual
cleaning and light greasing.
12.5