to swedge or sta loc?

[knuterikt]

I'm not going to start a new discussion on synthetic vs SS.

How big is the real advantage of being able to reuse the StaLok's (or other brands)

Wouldn't it be better to carry spares enabling a complete replace?
I like the Emergency Shroud Kits that Colligo have if you have this plus the right adapters for your mast you should be able to do most repairs in the field.

Alternatively some spare StaLok and wire?

The more modification to the "standard" product the more cost and hassle?

[Stumble]

Knut,

I have never tried to install a stalok except on a bench vice. But underway I think it would be possible, but a real pain. Getting the wire cut square, getting the fittings on, and not screwing it up when under the preassure of a broken shroud would be a pretty difficult undertaking, but it has been done, and could be again.

I am not planning on heading back down island any time soon, but if I were I think instead of my old emergency shroud I would carry a Dynex emergency shroud, since the splicing is pretty easy.

[Brion Toss]

Hi all,
Nice discussion! Getting back to the original question, properly installed Sta-Loks are better than swages; they are reusable, inspectable, more likely to be corrosion-resistant, and you can invert the wire at its half-corrosion-life, extending total wire life (corrosion tends to concentrate at the bottom).
As noted above, one often sees swages aloft, Sta-Lok's alow, but this (a) precludes that half-life inversion, (b) is more expensive in the long run, as you can't reuse the swage, and (c) assumes that water can't wick uphill. Most often it seems that people take this path just so they can turn up the bottom ends in place, after stepping.
I recommend a serious look at Dynex. Properly scaled, creep is a non-issue. Chafe is easy to avoid. The covered version is basically immortal. At the very least, carry a piece as your spare.
At the moment we are preparing to do some destruction tests on all the major swageless terminals. Stand by for results.
Fair leads,
Brion Toss