What is the expected lifespan of Fluid Riggers?

[platypus]

My Fluidesign 1x is now 10 years old and has endured heavy use over that period. To date it's been very reliable. I look after it the best I can with regular maintenance. However, I have seen photo's of failed Fluid riggers from aluminium fatigue. One in particular on the Rec sport website with the large main tube snapping in a position close to the hull. Are these rare one off's or is it something to concern about? Is this one of the reasons why the tubular rigger was superseded by the current more rectangular one piece styled rigger? As a pre-caution for piece of mind, should I update my rigger to the current one and retire the original tubular rigger, or are am I just unnecessarily concerned?

[lt.wolf]

If in good shape you should continue to utilize . It is covered by the lifetime warranty and will be replaced for free if anything were to happen. The fails do happen with aluminum riggers of all manufacturers, we had a full quad of filippi riggers fail in the first year of ownership at RBC, they were not covered under their limited warranty.

You can upgrade to the retro fit rigger if you like


You can trade in the hull towards the CarbonMax ( carbon rigger) hull as well.

[track_bites]

Hi,

It happened to me back in 2017. I was just rowing at normal steady state pressure and "Pop". I have no idea if it was just a fluke, but the folks at Fluid were fantastic about it. They sent me a new one right away.

Here's the sad tale: https://quantifiedrowing.com/2017/09/22 ... he-doomed/

[Stelph]

towards the CarbonMax ( carbon rigger) hull as well.

Does Fluid do a carbon rigger now then?

[lt.wolf]

Full launch in 2021, New cockpit and carbon rigger. Pre orders are ongoing

[platypus]

So if they are producing a new cockpit, I imagine this is to be able top accommodate the new carbon rigger. Therefore, is it correct to assume that the new carbon rigger won't retro fit existing Fluids?

[JD]

My Fluidesign 1x is now 10 years old and has endured heavy use over that period. To date it's been very reliable. I look after it the best I can with regular maintenance. However, I have seen photo's of failed Fluid riggers from aluminium fatigue. One in particular on the Rec sport website with the large main tube snapping in a position close to the hull. Are these rare one off's or is it something to concern about? Is this one of the reasons why the tubular rigger was superseded by the current more rectangular one piece styled rigger? As a pre-caution for piece of mind, should I update my rigger to the current one and retire the original tubular rigger, or are am I just unnecessarily concerned?

Not just a Fluid Design issue. Private owners had aluminum riggers on a Levator (stern mount) and Filippi (bow mount) singles break without collisions at our club within the last 6 months. They both broke just outboard of the mount near the weld. (The Levator has also had delamination issues) The Filippi was over a thousand bucks. Say what you will, we have thrashed, abused, poorly rowed, mishandled (and heavier) Vespoli Matrix singles that have had no problems of any kind.

[lt.wolf]

“So if they are producing a new cockpit, I imagine this is to be able top accommodate the new carbon rigger. Therefore, is it correct to assume that the new carbon rigger won't retro fit existing Fluids?”

The carbon rigger will initially be available for the new model.


All companies have / had issues with riggers,from aluminum to carbon. I have seen fails on Van Dusen, Wintech, Swift, Empacher, Fluid, Hudson and Vespoli too. No one is left unscathed.

It bums me out when stuff happens, as it should to anyone in the business. It’s what you do when it happens is what counts.

[sandor]

n=1...but...

the 20 year old carbon wing on my Stämpfli is holding up well - it has gotten quite a few miles of use over its lifetime so far, hopefully many more too.
It is stern mounted & rather robust. But the quick mount & rigger have held up very well, and saved quite a bit of rigging/de-rigging time.

[lt.wolf]

It’s great when boats last for a long time , proper care and routine maintenance will allow for that. I took in a 2000 Fluid in on trade towards a new Max the other day, the owner was meticulous is the upkeep, a new clear coat and it will have many more miles on the water.

[JD]

It’s great when boats last for a long time , proper care and routine maintenance will allow for that. I took in a 2000 Fluid in on trade towards a new Max the other day, the owner was meticulous is the upkeep, a new clear coat and it will have many more miles on the water.

For us old folks, there is some nostalgia for the lovely and delicate wood hulls and oars, but imagining a 30 year+ lifespan from a well used boat was inconceivable when I started coaching, especially in a club situation. When combined with a tripling in the number of funded programs casting off well cared for composite shells, the effect on the spread of rowing is significant. One can throw up some outdoor racks, wrangle a few hulls, put up some posters and call it a program.

[lt.wolf]

Update

[fisch]

Shiny design