Rigging Cost

I have just received the final invoice for the recent rigging work.

In addition to the replacement of all of the stays there were the following items:

- New 5mm wire rails (previously 4mm) and new turnbuckles
- New Spectra topping lift to act as backup main halyard
- New low stretch running backstays

The breakdown of the cost is as follows:

Material ... $11,355
Labor ...... $ 2,500
Travel ...... $    400

Total ....... $14,255

That is a steep price, but the import duties in Argentina are extraordinarily high.  The important thing to me is the quality of the job rather than the price.
 
I looked into my records and saw that the boat was previously re rigged in Nov, 2005 at a cost of $3,460 AUD.  That makes the bulk of the rigging that was just replaced about 6.5 years old and due for replacement, given its hard duties.  It's difficult to make cost comparisons because the Nov 2005 re rigging did not include the extra items that I listed above, and was before a startling jump in the cost of stainless steel shortly after that effort. To complicate matters more, in Nov 2005 the Aussie dollar was worth much less than the American dollar.

The important thing  is that I am personally satisfied.  I now have a new very strong headsail and new very strong rigging with improved running backstays, and am looking forward to an enjoyable and less worrisome sail back to Australia.