Composites in Yacht Rigging / Chandlery

Vibration is not a new problem on yachts and is predominantly due to rigging. Composite cables are vulnerable to vibration owing to their low weight with respect to their length and cable vibration is a sign of another underlying problem. Nevertheless, if it is not possible to identify the source, then the use of a Stay Quiet from Future Fibres is an ideal technique of cable vibration dampening. This article discusses the steps involved in installing a Stay Quiet to reduce cable vibration.

Positioning the Stay Quiet on the Cable

The vibration of the cable is monitored and/or filmed in order to identify the points of maximum vibration (A) and nodes, i.e., transition between vibration waves (B). There can be one or more waves based on the length and diameter of the cable. It is essential to position the Stay Quiet at the points of maximum vibration (A) on the top or the bottom wave, based on whether the vibration is transmitted above or below the stay, for instance, into the hull or into the mast.

Installation Components and Equipment

The following are the components to be used for installation:

• A - 1 x Stay Quiet
• B - 1 x cable clamp
• C - 4 x external clip - small
• D - 1 x external clip - large

The following are the other things used for installation:

• 1 x bosun 's chair with strop
• 1 x PVC tape

Installation Steps

1. Inner clamp on stay – The clamp is clipped over the stay and the PVC tape is applied above and below to prevent it from slipping.
2. Stay Quiet over clamp – The Stay Quiet is carefully opened at the top and slipped around the cable. The Stay Quiet is then gradually worked down to feed it over the cable and clamp. It is necessary to ensure that the center of the Stay Quiet is located directly over the cable clamp.
3. Attach the external clips – The five external plastic clips are then gently opened and positioned over the recesses in the Stay Quiet.

If vibration is not totally eliminated, the position of the Stay Quiet on the cable is adjusted to optimize dampening effect. If vibration is still there, then it can be reduced by adding another Stay Quiet onto a secondary node.

This information has been sourced, reviewed and adapted from materials provided by Future Fibres.

For more information on this source, please visit Future Fibres.