Standing rigging dilema

[HMP]

I'm getting new standing rigging for my Seafarer 29 and after being in touch with four riggers I'm feeling... uneasy. I bought the boat 14 years ago, (I'm not sure how much older the rigging is) and so far I haven't seen any corrosion or signs of weakness. All hardware was made in England. Now I want to add an inner stay, running backstays and backstay adjuster and decided to get a whole new rigging.

It seems that everybody wants to replicate the existing system and when I ask if it can be improved, I'm not getting a clear answer. In the boat book from the manufacturer no standing rigging dimensions are mentioned, only installation procedures. My concern is that the wires could be too thin. I see others using 7/32" 1/19 wires for all stays and shrouds on boats of similar size. Mine has only single lowers and they are 1/4", although a professional survey done around 2006 states that they are 9/32". All other stays/shrouds are 3/16".

Any thoughts? Thanks.

 

[gonzo]

If the rig is still standing, that is an indication the sizes are OK. However, do you intend to cruise in heavy weather like in high latitudes or only locally. If locally, I would leave them alone. Why do you think running backstays are needed? That is often in masts with small section.

 

[Tops]

Is there going to be a change/increase in sail plan? Guessing so from the added inner stay and modified back stay. Bigger main too?
Is this the boat?

 

[HMP]

If the rig is still standing, that is an indication the sizes are OK. However, do you intend to cruise in heavy weather like in high latitudes or only locally. If locally, I would leave them alone. Why do you think running backstays are needed? That is often in masts with small section.

I do intend to cruise in heavy weather if it comes to that. Running backstays are needed to support the mast against the load of the inner stay.

 

[HMP]

Is there going to be a change/increase in sail plan? Guessing so from the added inner stay and modified back stay. Bigger main too?
Is this the boat?

Yes, this is the boat. Here is a drawing of mine showing the main at the second reef and the planned staysail. The main is just a few years old, still in great shape, not planning on a bigger one. I am going to have a third reef added. Currently I use a 135 genoa or/and a working jib on the furler and an asymmetrical spinnaker.

 

[Rumars]

If it makes you sleep better just specify everything as 1/4". You just have to make sure to find hardware that fit your existing chainplate hole pin size and whatever type of connector you have on the mast.
Everything between chainplate hole and mast hole should be new anyway.
If the chainplate holes are ovalized you got to change the chainplate too, so you drill whatever hole size you want.

 

[gonzo]

That is unusual to have two running backstays. One should be enough.