Watching the swages is probably good advice for all kind of boats, not just Blades. You never know! Some are known to put two swages on instead of just one. Sailing with terminals on the end of the wires is not better, trust me on that. We have had forestays and sidestays bust on us, and that was supposed to be really high quality stuff. I think you can check swages and make a call on how they do, but the end terminals are impossible to inspect. I even tried running them through a digital x-ray machine, but we broke our forestay in the terminal at the scandinavian championship anyway.
Terminals can be tested by applying tension, I use a hydraulic ram at work but can also use mainsheet system with some extra purchase, test to safe working load. Terminal manufacturers also specify a crimped Outside Diameter. Dont mix imperial or metric terminals and wire for obvious reasons.
Swages should have enough wire returned through the swage to allow the wire to birdcage, cannot pull back through the swage then, only a small amount is needed. 3mm precrimp works fine.
From the pics, the swages used aren't as long as the ones I prefer to use on that size wire. Suggest they all be replaced after one has failed.
I only post on this F16 forum as this is a safety issue and I can contribute, no interest in starting a fight.
Darryn
Mozzie
1782
