I don't loosen my diamonds between regattas, or in the off season for that matter.
I was under the impression that few actually do?

When would you replace the diamonds and why?

If there is no sign of fraying/breakage, etc.?

TIA,
Todd

If I remember, I'll back them off to the lowest setting, but that's about all I do for de-tensioning diamond wires. I don't feel it's that critical, but I may be wrong.

I'd replace them if anything was looking suspect. If a diamond wire fails, chances are it will take the mast with it. On a fresh water boat, the diamond wires should just about last eternity. They are under a pretty constant load, unlike standing rigging which is constantly be shock loaded, and worked through a wide range of tensions from sheet tension, wind ranges, wave state, etcetera, while being used.

I agree...I sail mostly fresh water. I used to replace my rigging periodically (even though I barely owned boats long enough to do that). I've never untensioned the diamonds. Honestly, I've never seen wire rigging fail that didn't first have a solid indication that it needed to be replaced (broken strand). I'm now in the "wait until I have a broken strand" category but will replace it within days of seeing that kind of wear.

Thanks Karl, Jake,

I am replacing my shrouds/forestay before the GT300 this year though.

Jake, can you tell me/show me again how you had your 'chicken lines' and foot straps.
Currently I have one foot strap each side only.

TIA,
Todd

We are one footstrap only now too with the F18. The chicken line is simple and just for the crew right now. It goes from the rudder fitting on the hull to a bunji that sucks it into the rear beam. I probably won't mess with a chicken line again unless the forcast for the Florida 300 is for big air and then we'll rig something up.

On the I20, probably the easiest setup we had was this one here:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/teamseacats/496549944/in/set-72157600194459491

We had stopper balls on small loops attached to our harnesses. You would step under the chicken line and then the prusik knot loops on the chicken line would just drop around the stopper ball and stay there. You could still get out of it fairly easily even if it was loaded but it still made me a little nervous. I might just put the stopper ball on the trap ring in the future so I only have one point connecting me to the boat.

Thanks Jake, that's what I needed.

I like the idea or the extra ball/stopper on the trap line to hook to the chicken line.

I have rigged various reaching lines on my old N6.0, but wanted some more good ideas and thoughts on it.

I also enjoyed the rest of the Tybee photos on that site too!

Thanks,
Todd

I didn't even know some of those pictures existed. I remember this day well. This was that bad Jupiter Beach start where only a few made it out. I got separated from the boat when we flipped right when we almost got free of the surf break. The swim back in was surprisingly long and we were lucky to mostly keep the boat in one piece. Our illustrious ground crew had to get about 3/4 mile down the beach to where the boat landed and had already gotten it to that point by the time I got back in. This was me laying on the beach just after getting back to solid ground.

I sort of figured something like that from reading the postings from back then, and seeing this picture.

that the mast remained in one piece that day is pretty awesome... I presume the boat didn't wash to shore on it's side...?

It did actually wash ashore on it's side. One of my last efforts before getting separated was to start the boat turning so the mast was pointed offshore and wouldn't go pogo and break. I got my hand caught in the rudder casting in a wave and thought I was going to break some bones and jerked myself free...but a little too far free. I was already gassed from trying to work the boat through the waves up to that point and then to try and get it turned and I just couldn't get back to the boat. I remember thinking, "aaahhh...I'll just float back in". I bobbed on my back for a while waiting to recharge some energy while getting pummeled by waves before I turned and looked toward shore. I was a little shocked at how far I had to go to get back and wishing that I had tried harder to stay with the boat. I started a gradual backstroke so I could see the waves coming and it seemed like an eternity before I got back to shore.

I got lucky that the boat rotated just enough before I let go. We broke five or six battens, ripped the main, and tore the jib traveler off the self tacker (I think Frank landed on the jib when the wave knocked us backwards...he was belly down on the deck hanging onto the spin pole and the chicken line trying to keep the bow down in the waves).

I had literally just exclaimed "one more wave and we got it!". I saw the opposing wave out of the corner of my eye just before two waves clapped together under the bow from different angles, exploded vertically, and somersaulted the boat backwards. It was massively quick and launched Frank. He hit his head on the spreaders.

Diamond wires corrode at the same rate as any other rigging, perhaps even faster since they are outside all the time when your other rigging is away.
Additionally, you should check the brass block fitting inside the mast for corrosion.
I've seen wires fail plenty of time that showed no indication of breaking, though they were all several years old.
Sailing in saltwater for our 5 month season I would replace my rigging every 3 years.

Thanks, I'll take a look at them too