copper wire

[navahoIII]

My old spreaders have what I think are brass wires twisted closed on the tips to keep the stays from jumping out.

In replacing the stays I broke one wire and have replaced it with a copper one of the same diameter. Is copper okay to use? I know it's a bit softer, but I twisted it a few more times. Will it hold? Is it a safety hazard?

[Bob Hunkins]

It's probably ok, the most likely problem seems to me to be from bimetallic corrosion - Two dissimilar metals in constant contact with each other in a wet environment, especially a salt water environment, will slowly react, and one will corrode faster than more than it would normally. You see this most around stainless steel rivets put into aluminum masts. To stop that corrosion, you can keep the copper in its insulator, i.e. don't strip the wire.

If you have an old stainless steel shroud, you can use some of the strands from that to secure the shroud to the spreader. If it's nice and snug, i.e. you can't pull the shroud away from the spreader by hand it's probably good.

Regardless of the type of wire you use, make sure it's covered up with some sort of tape, electrical or rigger's tape to keep any sharp ends from catching on a sail and possibly tearing it.

[navahoIII]

Thanks, Bob, good advice, I just may use some wire strands form an old shroud, as you suggest! I do cover with tape -- and then put the booties over them.

[persephone]

I would advise against the use of copper. Although it is expensive, look for aircraft safety wire. It is usually made of high grade stainless steel. It is intended to be twisted (10-14 twists per inch depending on wire diameter). It also twists easier, and retains it's twist better that rigging wire You can find it at aircraftspruce dot com, and some industrial supply companies.