From the Experts

Spring Rigging Projects
and new products to boot

David Chard from The Boatlocker in Westport, CT has written a primer for you on some rigging ideas. Thanks go out to David and if you wish to contact him, please do.

Spring is here and our boats have survived another winter in the shed or under cover. We all live busy lives, so it’s understandable that Fall boat “to-do” lists are often left to the last minute. Let’s tackle the list with an eye towards new products that will have us sailing safe and fast.

Assume for a minute that you have already scheduled a rigging inspection. You are dreading the phone call from your rigger telling you that your 10 year old standing rigging has reached it’s limit. Nobody wants to receive that news, but there is a bright side. Using Hayn Marine’s new Hi -Mod compression fittings, you can replace your standing rigging yourself. These new fittings feature a slim, attractive design but provide a termination at least as strong as the rated breaking load of the wire.

This style of standing rigging terminal, as opposed to a swage fitting which must be done by a qualified rigger using a modern swage machine, can be assembled yourself dockside after a quick lesson from your rigger. There is also an installation video available.The fittings are strong and secure. In test after test, the Hi-Mod has proven to hold beyond the capabilities of swage fittings.

If your standing rigging checks out ok, these fittings may still be of use to you. For example, your sailmaker has been pressing you to install a hydraulic backstay adjuster to help control headstay tension. By using a Hi-Mod compression eye, a seemingly difficult project can be knocked off in an hour or so. If you plan on cruising offshore and want to install an SSB radio onboard, Hayn marine has introduced the market’s only fail-safe backstay insulator for wire. Andy Colloton from
Hayn Marine explains: "Utilizing the same features that have made the Hi-Mod Mechanical fittings so popular, this insulator has an internal ball-socket in the main body that threads onto the connecting stud. The nut is insulated from the stainless steel body by a Tufnol(TM) socket, preventing electrical transference to the insulator body or opposite terminal. Should, for any reason, the Tufnol(TM) be compromised, the nut will bottom out against the stainless housing. While the backstay will loosen, the insulating studs will remain attached to the insulator body—allowing the rig to be re-tensioned until a repair can be made. The Hi-Mod insulator meets or exceeds current electrical standards for marine backstay insulators."

Now that you are secure in the knowledge that your mast is not going to fall down and we’ve made the sailmaker (and trimmers) happy with the hydraulic backstay, what’s next? Unfortunately the sailmaker is probably still not happy. (Are they ever?) He sold you a new headsail and now he’s concerned that halyard stretch is wrecking his masterpiece. Not only that, but he feels it’s also time to replace your old “lucky” genoa sheets. However, it’s been so long since you last replaced your “lucky” sheets (lucky is long form for ugly and tired) that you’re not sure what to replace them with. Time to check out New England Ropes Endura Braid.

Endura Braid, introduced last year as a replacement for their popular Spect-Set II, has some unique properties ideally suited for sheets and Spin halyards. Endura Braid utilizes a specially engineered 12 strand Dyneema SK75/Spectra 100 core, treated with New England Ropes Marine-Tech coating, and a 24-carrier braided polyester cover. What does all this mean? Well what we have here is a line that handles like a shoestring, with the low stretch properties the sailmaker was asking for. Added this year in solid color Endura Braid is a color coded core. This helps to color code halyards for the foredeck/ pit crew.

In more general rope terms, Spring tends to consume rope. With each new project started on a sailboat, you can't finish the job without rope. Well stocked rigging shops will have miles of rope to chose from. Ask for Vectran for racing Genoa and main Halyards, Dyneema double braids for (everything!) sheets and spin halyards. New composite blend single braids are wonderful for control lines and mainsheets. A excellent choice for cruising halyards is New England Ropes Sta-Set x. Marlows Double Braid Dacron, MarlowBraid, is considered the industries finest. Each project is a learning experience, learning about he best products for each job will make your summer sailing fun and secure, and you will also have the knowledge that the job was done right the first time by speaking to a rigger first. Now that we have the rig standing and the sailmaker is happy, you might want to replace some deck fittings. Ronstan now owns the Danish company Frederiksen. Frederiksen, known for sexy looking blocks and track systems, has set new standards in the design and manufacture of
sailboat hardware.

Frederiksen fittings have been around the world on Volvo race and luxury cruisers. How does this benefit you? A global distribution and technical support network, brought to you through your local rigger. Blocks are available for every application, from tiny control line blocks, to lightweight ratchet blocks, Ball bearing traveler cars in seven track sizes- for a close match to individual requirements, without compromise

Riggers tend to get a little cranky in the Spring, but as the saying goes, “ gotta make hay when the sun shines” so consult with your local rigger, and hopefully pick off a few projects with some of the finest products available.