Getting The Most From Sailboat Rigging

<<>>Sailboat rigging is about the components work together. Understanding the basics is an ideal way to having a knowledge of which parts interact with what, when. Starting with how to rig sailboats this page explains the basics for mainsail, jibs and spinnakers. Once a novice has got the hang of the first two sails then spinnaker work is natural progression.

Rigging inspection is the practice of looking over the cables, wires and mast etc. To determine their condition. Forearmed is forewarned. Better to know that your cables are fraying, than not. Getting the most from the boat depends a lot upon what is happening several meters and more above the deck.

<<>>Once you know the condition of your wires and cables, plus taken steps to replace or treat, then it is time to take a seat in the bosun's chair to the spreaders After all they balance the tension for the boat on both sides. Spreaders separate the shrouds and keep them at the right angle in relation to the deck.

Even if you are cruising without to much care for boat speed, a poorly tensioned rig can be damaging. It is good practice to use a tension gauge at least twice seasonally to check and adjust the tension levels. This minimizes abrasive contacts between the shrouds and means the hull is under the correct strain to. Of course racers check the gauge each time they race, getting the most from the craft.

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<<>>The wires and cables on board include the backstay. This is generally under a lot of stress and for good reason! In order to regulate the strain a backstay adjuster is used. Without knowledge of this piece of kit, a sailor should not be in charge of the boat. It's very much a safety first situation. For measuring the wire tensions and stress a frequently calibrated instrument called cable tension meter is used. It allows monitoring of the complex structure which supports the mast. Depending on the style of sailing a vessel is used for prescribes how often it should be used.

For a temporary fix for both wire splicing and rope splicing have a read of these two pages. It is best to have practiced both of these repairs in advance of needing them. Perhaps after plotting your weekend's trip in the comfort of your home. The times when ropes and wires break tend to be when the weather is miserable. Practice in the warmth first.

There is very much an art to sailboat rigging. Getting the most from your boat is a balance between sail area, tensions, wind speed and the crew working together. When all of those factors are in unison then much enjoyment can be had.

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