New Rigging Turning Brown
 

I sent my standing rigging off to be duplicated this Spring. The work was done by a well known rigging outfit.

After a few months it started to get a bit brown, at the top of the swages and the screw ends.

Is this normal? I was hoping not to see rust for a long time.

The boat is in saltwater, New England.

Anything I should be doing to prolong the life of the rigging, aside from hosing the boat down after each sail.

Guess I'm just dissapointed

Some stainless can turn brownish quickly, if you are not seeing any 'rust', but just a brownish coloring, it is probably ok. Be sure the wire and fittings are in stucurally sound condition, perhaps by going over them completely inspecting as you polish that shine back into it. If you really want it to shine, polish it. Just make sure to inspect it carfully each time you polish, because by polishing you are removeing the evidence of crevice corrosion .
Cheer Up, at least there is no glare of shiny rigging to distract your piloting...

Russell,

My bet would be that your gang was made up with 302/04 stainless vice 316. The 302/04 makeup is a little stronger than 316 but will discolor due to the higher carbon content and less nickel and chromium in 316.

Chances are your gang is fine. Just keep a watch at the terminal swages.

Tom

as we used to say ...
 

it's stain-less, not stain-free!

Would you fill us in to who the well known rigger is?
 

If you let us know who the rigger is (especially if they're well known), many people could be saved the same experience.

Thank You.