Introduction
\n* Our discussion will deal with what you can do to optimize your boat’s rigging whether you race or cruise.
\n* This is a large subject so I am going to stick to layout, installation and your choice of hardware not standing or running rigging.<\/p>\n
Rigging Issues
\n*ith any boat there are 3 things to consider:
\n* Hardware Layout – The best are usually the simplest with the least holes and friction.
\n* Hardware Selection – The right components are essential
\n* Installation – Doing it the right way!<\/p>\n
Layout
\n* Take photos of your current layout
\n* Identify what worked and what didn’t
\n* 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)
\n* Identify parts that you can build into boat instead of adding on later i.e. toe rail
\n* Do your research – take pictures of similar boats, talk to people who have sailed the same type of boat
\n* Draw plans of new deck layout and ‘live’ with this for a while<\/p>\n
Components
\n* Carbo vs. bullet blocks, forged vs. stamped
\n* http:\/\/www.harkencompuspec.com\/
\nProvides initial suggestions (not necessarily the ideal) based on standard sail area formulas, boat length and displacement. Gives you an idea of working loads.
\n* Keep to one manufacturer if possible so everything looks similar.
\n* Harken – blocks, Spinlock – jammers, Lewmar – winches, Equiplite – shackles<\/p>\n
Installation principles
\n* Use stainless fastenings – right length, right head, right type and phillips throughout
\n* Use backing plates where necessary
\n* Create compression plugs in cored areas
\n* Tap where possible
\n* Use bedding compound (but not as a sealant)
\n* Below the waterline use G10 or wood blocks epoxied to the hull
\n* Use Tef gel when putting stainless fasteners into aluminum or carbon
\n* Installing tracks? measure from center line not from edges of boat i.e. Moore 24
\n* Pop rivets – aluminum if filling holes stainless if installing hardware
\n* Compression tubes when installing parts on a boom<\/p>\n
Installation
\n* 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.
\n* Identify rotten core, remove and rebuild
\n* Grind, sand, clean, fill, fair, sand
\n* Dry fit all hardware including drilling holes (tap if solid glass), create ‘kits’, tape off \u00c2\u00bd inch
\n* Sit in the boat to figure out the best location for cleats in terms of ergonomics.
\n* 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
\n* Remark holes by drilling small ‘dimples’
\n* Roll on deck<\/p>\n
Summary<\/p>\n
Review your deck plan & layout
\nUtilize available resources, especially West Marine, Harken catalog, etc.
\nhttp:\/\/www.westmarine.com (west advisor)
\nwww.westsystems.com
\nhttp:\/\/www.harken.com\/rigtips\/rigtips.php<\/p>\n