1x7 galv. for rigging

[Norm Moore]

I planned to use 7/16" 7x7 galv. for the standing rigging on my next boat, 40' gaff rigged cutter, using softeyes and solid thimbles all spliced. In searching the internet I find that 7x7 isn't readily available in the sizeI was looking for, but 7/16" 1x7 guying wire is. (I've been applying a safety factor of 3 to reduce or eliminate fatigue.) Does the size/ductility of the wire in 1x7 make splicing very difficult? Is the galvanizing on 1x7, which is used mostly on land inferior to that found on 7x7?

[Brion Toss]

Hello,
Do you know what grade of 1x7 you have? Strengths vary immensely. So do levels of galvanizing. You will not be able to splice it, and it is extremely stiff stuff to take around any normal radius. It's really not the right construction for sailing rigging, no matter how cheap you find it. Probably best either to invest in English galvinized wire, or to go with stainless. As for the SF of 3:1, it seems hard to justify, if you can have the right rig instead.
Fair leads,
Brion Toss