Rigging Inspection
June 11, 2009 by Chris Wethered
Filed under Sailboat Rigging And Marine Rope
Knowing what condition the rig's in is achieved through a rigging inspection. Your hardware and rig will give you better performance and lower the maintenance bills - if they are looked after well. Getting the tension balance right is important. Having the distribution of stress and strain correct in the rigging also helps the hull as well.
Bosun's Chair
Yes a trip in the bosun's chair is calling, at least annually. Look out for the following:
- Patchy discoloring of the cable wires - Uniform discoloring is not a problem
- Patches lean towards rust - Replace the wire
- Check cable tension - with a tension gauge
Back On Deck
When lying on your back, look up the mast for:
- The angle of the mast Check your sailboat manufacturer's manual for the correct angle in the conditions
- Look for dents, ridges and crack that have happened since you last checked
- Check the chainplates where they meet the deck. Your owners guide will tell what angle they should be
Checking the mast is sealed where it meets the deck
Down To The Heel
Go to the heel of the mast - where it meets the floor in the cabin.
- Under the floor boards, see whether the bilges allow water to collect around the base of the mast. Water undermines the mast settings. Check this frequently.
- If your mast is aluminum, you can see a white power in the surface. This is normal. Scratch it away, to check the true state of the aluminum. Does it need to be re anodized?
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Tools you will need for the job are available right here on this page. Supplied by West Marine you are assured of the best customer service on line. So buy today
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How To Rig Sailboats
June 10, 2009 by Chris Wethered
Filed under Sailboat Rigging And Marine Rope
You need to buy a tension gauge in order to be able to correctly measure and change your backstay and shrouds. As conditions change, so the set up on the boat should change accordingly. If the rig is not set up for the conditions it may become fatigued and lead to failure.
Mainsail
Attach the sail to the boom, using the shackle provided on the boom. Put the battens in to the pockets, hopefully they are numbered, so you put the correct ones in. Now put the head of the sail into the track.
Try to ensure the progress of the sail up the mast wont be impeded. Before hoisting attach the sail on to the goose neck. You are now ready to hoist. By pulling the correct halyard you save a lot of nuisance! Once the sail is raised attach the vang.
Jib
Attach bag to cable railing. Fasten the hanks, tie the sheets with a bowline to the stern hank. Attach head shackle to halyard and hoist!
Spinnaker
Attach the spinnaker bag. Attach guys and sheets, having checked they run properly either outside of everything or inside, depending. Guys run outside of everything back through the pulleys aft. Sheets are put through the pulleys mid ship and then run on winches. Raise the pole and hoist when down wind.
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Backstay Adjuster
June 10, 2009 by Chris Wethered
Filed under Sailboat Rigging And Marine Rope
In Lighter Wind
In lighter winds you must allow less tension on the stay. This is when you need to use a tension gauge. The effect of loosening, will allow sail shape to be fuller, providing more draft, or sail depth. Plus the angle of entry into the sail by the wind means better use of wind available. The mast will show less bend as a result.
This simple mechanical device allows regulation and better seaworthiness
In Stronger Winds
After reading the above, you will know that in order to de power the rig in stronger winds you must use your tension gauge to tighten up the tension. As there is more wind available, the sails do not need to be so deep in order to provide boat speed. Tensioning the backstay with your rigging gauge will bend the mast back and flatten out the sails to match the conditions.
Different Rigs
As there are different rigs, so there are different processes to apply more or less tension. The result is the same. The ratio or gearing that is available varies, from design to design and is also related to the length of the sailboat. In boats up to twenty eight feet a 6:1 ratio is not unusual. However on a fractionally rigged sailboat up to 12:1 ratio is common.
If you are not sure what ratio you have on board, or need advice then you should consult a friendly mechanic.
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