Introduction
* Our discussion will deal with what you can do to optimize your boat’s rigging whether you race or cruise.
* This is a large subject so I am going to stick to layout, installation and your choice of hardware not standing or running rigging.

Rigging Issues
*ith any boat there are 3 things to consider:
* Hardware Layout – The best are usually the simplest with the least holes and friction.
* Hardware Selection – The right components are essential
* Installation – Doing it the right way!

Layout
* Take photos of your current layout
* Identify what worked and what didn’t
* Identify your use of the boat – shorthanded (lead things back), fully crewed (jobs), inshore, offshore (no holes), cruising (cheaper), racing (hi tech), one design (rules)
* Identify parts that you can build into boat instead of adding on later i.e. toe rail
* Do your research – take pictures of similar boats, talk to people who have sailed the same type of boat
* Draw plans of new deck layout and ‘live’ with this for a while

Components
* Carbo vs. bullet blocks, forged vs. stamped
* http://www.harkencompuspec.com/
Provides initial suggestions (not necessarily the ideal) based on standard sail area formulas, boat length and displacement. Gives you an idea of working loads.
* Keep to one manufacturer if possible so everything looks similar.
* Harken – blocks, Spinlock – jammers, Lewmar – winches, Equiplite – shackles

Installation principles
* Use stainless fastenings – right length, right head, right type and phillips throughout
* Use backing plates where necessary
* Create compression plugs in cored areas
* Tap where possible
* Use bedding compound (but not as a sealant)
* Below the waterline use G10 or wood blocks epoxied to the hull
* Use Tef gel when putting stainless fasteners into aluminum or carbon
* Installing tracks? measure from center line not from edges of boat i.e. Moore 24
* Pop rivets – aluminum if filling holes stainless if installing hardware
* Compression tubes when installing parts on a boom

Installation
* Remove old hardware and throw away parts that can’t be reused I.e. screws and nuts, keep old line for ‘dummy’ rigging, washers, backing plates.
* Identify rotten core, remove and rebuild
* Grind, sand, clean, fill, fair, sand
* Dry fit all hardware including drilling holes (tap if solid glass), create ‘kits’, tape off ½ inch
* Sit in the boat to figure out the best location for cleats in terms of ergonomics.
* Over drill holes, remove core (see chapter 7 of west systems book) – fill with neat epoxy using syringes, than go back for a second go with epoxy mixed to catsup consistency with 406 colloidal filler and 205 hardener
* Remark holes by drilling small ‘dimples’
* Roll on deck

Summary

Review your deck plan & layout
Utilize available resources, especially West Marine, Harken catalog, etc.
http://www.westmarine.com (west advisor)
www.westsystems.com
http://www.harken.com/rigtips/rigtips.php

Home