Wire:

Standing rigging is used to support a mast on a sailboat and it is manufactured from high tensile strength 316 stainless steel wire. The type of wire that is used for most sailing applications is a 1x19 construction. Another type that is commonly used for high-performance sailing is a compacted 1x19 strand (AKA Dyform). This configuration of the compacted 1x19 has a greater density through the cross section which results in less stretch and a higher breaking strength than standard 1x19.

1x19 compacted strand	Conventional 1x19

All of our standing rigging hardware is attached to the wire by a process known as swaging. To swage a fitting on the wire means to press or squeeze on the end of the wire. There are several different methods used to swage fittings on wire. Typically, we use a rotary hammer process. Rotary hammer swaging uses a group of dies in a cylindrical race that revolves 360 degree around the fittings. The result is a uniform round finish.

Rotary Hammer Swager

Finished Swage

Norseman terminals are ideal for all types or wire rigging. For the do it yourself sailor, it offers a quick and easy fix for replacing your rigging or for repairing damaged rigging at sea.

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Nitronic 50 Rod

Another type of standing rigging that is used primarily for racing or larger boat applications is Nitronic 50 Rod rigging. Nitronic 50 Rod is an ideal choice where low stretch and high strength is required. Fittings are attached to the rod by a process know as cold-heading. Cold-heading reshapes the end of the rod so that it seats inside of the fitting resulting in a much higher breaking strength than wire rigging.

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