Traditionally gaffed rigged with dyneema standing rigging

[krametoc@cell2000.net]

Mark,
I'm another Mark with a small Colvin schooner. I am currently replacing my standing rigging with dyneema, parceled and served. Truth is, the galvanized is still in pretty good shape after 40 years, but my insurance company is worried. So, I am pulling my mast and redoing most things aloft (and at 70, I consider it well worth the cost of doing that, than doing it in a bos'n chair!) I'm using the heat treated and stretched dyneema, 1/4 inch which has similar strength to the galvanized. I am wrapping it in electrical tape, and serving it with #36 tarred twine (a one pound roll does about 50 feet.) This makes it look identical to what I'm replacing. Besides making them look the same, the goal was to limit any ultra violet damage. An added benefit is that it is substantially lighter. Serving the line tightly, it seems to compact the dyneema braid and makes the line much stiffer. This is sort of an experiment for me and with the exception of the triatic stay, the shrouds will be seized onto thimbles (as were the original stays.) I thought about using the dyneema with brass thimbles for the jib stays, but since I have some stainless for the forestays, I'm using that. But, I am putting roller furling on both headsails, and the jib will be on a bowsprit ring so I don't have to go out on the bowsprit to take it in, or to change to the genoa. The head sails will be set flying. An added question: All of the shrouds are wrapped around the masts, which I understand for wooden spars, however, mine are aluminum pipes 5 1/2 inch diameter 1/4 inch wall thickness, so I am planning to attach with shackles to welded on tabs. Any problems with this? I'll send an update when I am complete in a week or so. Please feel free to contact me.
Mark Hall
Schooner "Del Viento"