By MAURIPRO Sailing Specialists · Updated June 2026
What Is the Wichard Wire Rope Grip 7308W and How Does It Work?
The Wichard 7308W is a forged and polished marine-grade stainless steel wire rope grip consisting of three components: a U-bolt, a flat saddle (bridge), and two hex nuts. The U-bolt wraps beneath the wire rope and the saddle bears down on top, distributing clamping load evenly across the wire's outer strands when the nuts are torqued. This design prevents the wire from pulling free under axial tension without requiring a swage press or specialized tooling.
The 7308W is specifically rated for 11/32 in (8.7 mm) wire diameter — a size that corresponds to common 1x19 and 7x7 stainless steel wire rope used on standing rigging and control systems aboard production cruisers from the 1970s through the 1990s, including many ZSPAR-masted vessels. Wichard manufactures this fitting to ISO standards, and the stainless steel construction resists the salt and moisture exposure that corrodes lesser hardware over a 35-plus year service life.
The standalone answer: The Wichard 7308W wire rope grip is a three-piece stainless steel clamp that mechanically secures 11/32 in (8.7 mm) wire rope terminations without swaging equipment, making it a practical field repair and rigging solution for offshore and coastal sailors.
How to Identify Where a Wire Rope Grip Fits in a Gooseneck Bracket ZSPAR Mast Repair
What the Gooseneck Connection Involves
On a ZSPAR-extruded aluminum mast as found on a 1986 O'Day 25, 28, or 35, the gooseneck bracket attaches the boom to the mast via a track slug or pin fitting. The gooseneck itself is a pivot point — it does not directly terminate wire rope. However, associated rigging at the gooseneck station often includes a boom vang wire pennant, a topping lift termination, or a reefing line wire core, all of which may use wire rope grips as termination hardware.
Where Wire Rope Grips Apply
If your vang wire, topping lift wire, or reefing pennant shows a failed or corroded terminal adjacent to the gooseneck area, the 7308W provides a field-viable termination. Properly installed wire rope grips — using the "never saddle a dead horse" rule, meaning the saddle always bears on the live (load-bearing) side of the wire — achieve approximately 80% of the wire's rated breaking strength, which is adequate for most cruising applications when the correct number of grips are installed in series.
The standalone answer: On a ZSPAR mast, wire rope grips like the Wichard 7308W are most applicable to boom vang wire pennants, topping lift wire terminations, and reefing system wire cores near the gooseneck — not to the gooseneck fasteners themselves, which require mechanical fastener replacement.
How to Select the Correct Wichard Wire Rope Grip for Your Rigging
Wire rope grip selection is determined first by wire diameter, then by the number of grips required for adequate load retention. The 7308W is purpose-built for 11/32 in (8.7 mm) wire. Using a grip sized for a different diameter — even one size up or down — reduces clamping effectiveness and can damage the wire's outer strands under load. Measure your existing wire with calipers before ordering; nominal wire sizes and actual measured diameters can differ slightly between manufacturers.
| Wire Diameter | Common Application | 7308W Compatible? |
|---|---|---|
| 5/16 in (8.0 mm) | Shrouds on 30–35 ft cruisers | No — use smaller grip size |
| 11/32 in (8.7 mm) | Vang pennants, topping lifts, 1986 O'Day rigging | Yes — exact match |
| 3/8 in (9.5 mm) | Forestay on 38–42 ft vessels | No — use larger grip size |
| 7/16 in (11.0 mm) | Standing rigging on 45+ ft vessels | No — outside range |
The standalone answer: Select the Wichard 7308W specifically when your wire measures 11/32 in (8.7 mm) in diameter; for any other diameter, a different grip size is required to maintain safe clamping geometry and load transfer.
Step-by-Step: Installing Wichard Wire Rope Grips Correctly
Installation Sequence and Torque
Correct installation of the 7308W follows the same industry-standard procedure used for all U-bolt wire rope grips. Place the first grip as close to the thimble or eye as practical, with the saddle on the live (load) side of the wire and the U-bolt over the dead (short) end. Space additional grips at intervals of six times the wire diameter — approximately 2 inches (50 mm) apart for 8.7 mm wire. For 11/32 in wire in cruising applications, a minimum of three grips is standard practice.
Torque and Re-Torque
Tighten the hex nuts evenly, alternating between both nuts on each grip rather than fully torquing one nut before the other. After applying initial load to the wire — even a short dock test — re-torque all grips, as wire rope compresses slightly under first load and grip nuts will have loosened. Inspect annually or after any heavy weather event. The stainless steel hardware on the 7308W does not require lubrication, but verify that nuts have not backed off due to vibration.
The standalone answer: Install Wichard 7308W grips with the saddle on the live wire side, spaced approximately 2 inches (50 mm) apart, using a minimum of three grips, and re-torque after the first load application for safe, durable wire termination.
Why MAURIPRO Stocks the Wichard 7308W for Vintage Sailboat Rigging
MAURIPRO carries the Wichard Wire Rope Grip - For Wire Dia: 11/32 in (8.7 mm) (7308W) specifically because vintage production sailboats — O'Day, Catalina, Pearson, Hunter, and ZSPAR-masted vessels of the 1980s — remain actively sailed and actively maintained. These boats used wire rope sizes that have since become less common in new construction, and sourcing correctly-sized termination hardware without resorting to undersized substitutes is a genuine challenge for their owners.
Wichard is a French manufacturer with over 150 years of production experience in marine forged fittings. Their hardware is specified by offshore racing programs and cruising sailors alike because the stainless steel meets the corrosion resistance demands of saltwater service across decades of use — exactly the service history a 1986 O'Day represents. When your gooseneck bracket ZSPAR mast repair also reveals degraded wire terminations nearby, the 7308W provides the correct, verifiable fix without improvisation.
- Wire diameter: 11/32 in (8.7 mm) — exact fit for common vintage rigging wire
- Material: Marine-grade forged stainless steel
- Mechanism: Threaded U-bolt and saddle bridge with hex nuts
- Manufacturer: Wichard, France — ISO-compliant marine hardware
- Minimum grips per termination: 3 (industry standard for cruising loads)
Frequently Asked Questions
What wire diameter is the Wichard Wire Rope Grip 7308W compatible with?
The Wichard Wire Rope Grip 7308W is specifically sized for wire rope with a diameter of 11/32 in (8.7 mm), making it suitable for common standing and running rigging applications on mid-size sailboats. Confirm your existing wire diameter with calipers before ordering, as Wichard produces grips in multiple sizes. Using the correct size grip ensures full clamping load and prevents slippage under sail loads.
How do I properly install the Wichard Wire Rope Grip 7308W on a rigging repair?
Wichard Wire Rope Grip 7308W installation requires positioning the U-bolt saddle against the live (load-bearing) side of the wire, not the dead end, following the traditional rule of 'never saddle a dead horse.' Torque the nuts evenly and re-torque after initial loading, as wire rope compresses slightly under tension. A minimum of three grips spaced at least six wire-rope diameters apart is recommended for a secure termination.
What is the Wichard Wire Rope Grip 7308W made of, and is it corrosion-resistant for saltwater use?
Wichard Wire Rope Grips are manufactured from high-grade stainless steel, engineered to resist corrosion in saltwater and marine environments. Wichard is a French manufacturer with a long-standing reputation for marine-grade hardware that meets rigorous offshore safety standards. Rinsing with fresh water after saltwater exposure and inspecting threads periodically will extend service life on ocean-going vessels.
Can the Wichard Wire Rope Grip 7308W be used as a permanent rigging termination, or is it only for temporary repairs?
Wichard Wire Rope Grips are mechanical clamp-style fittings best suited for temporary repairs, emergency rigging, or non-critical applications rather than as permanent load-bearing terminations. For permanent standing rigging, swaged or Sta-Lok-style mechanical terminals provide superior fatigue resistance and cleaner load distribution. The 7308W is a reliable short-term solution when getting a vessel back to port safely is the priority.
Where can I buy the Wichard Wire Rope Grip 7308W, and does MAURIPRO carry it in stock?
Wichard Wire Rope Grip 7308W (For Wire Dia: 11/32 in / 8.7 mm) is available through MAURIPRO Sailing, which stocks a broad selection of Wichard rigging hardware for direct purchase. MAURIPRO sources authentic Wichard products, ensuring you receive genuine hardware that meets the manufacturer's marine-grade specifications. Checking the MAURIPRO website for current availability and compatible Wichard grip sizes for other wire diameters is recommended before placing your order.
Questions? We're Here to Help
Have questions? Chat with us! Our MAURIPRO rigging and sailing specialists are available to help you find the right solution for your boat and sailing style.
Explore our selection: Wichard Wire Rope Grip - For Wire Dia: 11/32 in (8.7 mm) (7308W) and related sailing gear at MAURIPRO.
