http://www.sailnet.com/collections/a...eid=matthe0945

Rod rigging is more often used aboard racing boats than on cruising boats.
While an argument can be made for rod rigging lasting longer than wire
rigging, it won't take any kinks the way wire rigging will, which means one
ill-placed docking can mean the end of a shroud. And, there is no way to
inspect rod rigging short of x-ray, which presents the possibility of
surprise catastrophic failures. While rod rigging may last longer than wire,
it's somewhat of a moot point since the terminal ends will wear out before
the other components do.

Oh boy!

Amen!