When to replace tangs
 

Hi,

I've got an older Taiwanese sailboat that recently had the wire and rigging replaced with Norseman fittings. My masts are wooden. However, the mast tangs and spreader brackets are original to my boat (1981). I have the masts down and sanded and polished the tangs. A selected few cleaned up really well, no pitting, cracks etc. I'm torn to either clean and polish and replace the remainder, or have new ones fabricated. A welding/machine shop quoted me about $2,500 to replace the tangs and spreader brackets.

Since I can inspect the fittings for external corrosion, I'm mostly concerned about fatigue. Is there any way to tell? I have more time than money, so alas your viewpoints are welcomed.

Have you considered having them x-rayed?

Here's a couple of links.

The American Society for Nondestructive Testing
http://www.asnt.org/

The following is quoted from this article.

http://www.irwinyachts.com/Drawings-...hainplates.pdf

"In February 2003,
Trinidad Inspection Services Ltd.
charged me US$130--six shots at
$21.66 per shot."