grade of SS standing wire

[ishmael]

The sticks are down on Dragon and I'm getting ready to do a good bit of work.  I am going to replace at least some of the standing rigging for sure.  Does anyone know what grade ss wire was used on the 365 ketch?  302, 304, or 316?  I do not want to lose rig strength by going with 316 if the original was 304 as I suspect it may have been.

[SVJourney]

We did 316 when we replaced the rig this year, but went up a size to compensate. (and for a good snugly feeling in a blow)

[PeteW]

Corrosion resistance trumps strength IMO so 316 is best in that regard.  And 1x19 wire only comes in 316 from what I can tell. But a shipwright I know rigged his 95' schooner with industrial elevator cable to save money.

[Leo]

Mine was replaced with 316 SS. Port Townsend Rigging copied my old stuff and I installed it. I asked them about going up in size but they said it was larger than needed so I stayed with the original sizes.

Len

[ishmael]

Thanks for the thoughts.  I have the chainplates out now and they look pretty good on surface inspection.  Could find no water intrusion.  So another question for those of you who have replaced chainplates.  Mine all had slight bends, I assume to point the plate directly to the mast attachment point.  Did yours all have bends?  I have seen no mention of this on the chainplate discussion pages so assumed they were all straight.