Re-rig Cape Dory 25D
I have a wonderful small cruiser by Carl Alberg, a Cape Dory 25D. The boat is a 1984, and undoubtedly the rig has never been replaced by the previous owners. As I've single-handed around Vancouver Island and am considering trips further afield, as well as looking to order new sails this year, I'd like to re-rig now.
In doing so, I'm looking at using swageless fittings, and bumping the wire size up in order to use 316. The difficulty is the clevis pins. I measured the lowers last weekend, and they are 1/4" on 5/32" wire. Even staying with the same wire would require increasing the clevis to 5/16" for Norseman, while 3/16" wire could have either 5/16" or 3/8" clevis.
I'm unsure at this point, with the need for larger clevis pins all around, if this job is still in the DIY category or if it has moved to the "have a professional do it" column. I'd like the experience so I'd be confident of being able to repair it anywhere (otherwise why have the swageless fittings?) but I'm not sure I'd trust myself having the tangs machined or replaced for larger pins. I'm also having problems finding riggers to talk with who are local (Pt. Roberts.)
Amgine
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