Swage or StaLok - reasons
Steve.. are you a cruiser ? then you "do it yourself".. your yacht builder cares nothing whatsoever about what you might have to repair at sea once you have taken delivery.
StaLok terminals permit repairs in the field... Swages are faster and more cost effective for the yacht builder so no wonder they want to use swages.
If you specify Sta Lok then I would disassemble every one of them and inspect them before taking delivery.. I just would not trust anyone else in installing these on my boat but me.. cerainly not in a production - for profit situation.
Furthermore... it is not uncommon to have swages aloft and staloks at the deck...
for lower weight aloft and since the swage is actually upside down whereas, a swage a deck level is rightside up where water and salt will penetrate and be trapped. Many cruising boats have both -- swages aloft and StaLok on deck.
W/ regard to synthetic line for cruising yacht rigging.. synthetic line is the realm of the
racer or weekend yachter who likes to support the marine industry with constant $$$ for repairs and refits.. Cruisers stay with simple, easy to find, low tech, low cost, long life ie: stainless steel rigging.
Good Luck
Mitch Witt
SAMS ams
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