Standing Rigging - resources for cruising sailors

Quick Rig and Deck Check

[Article]

Detailed How-To By Tom Wood

Checklist for a mid-season (or any time) inspection of your standing and running rigging. Wood says "Two sailors should be able to complete a rig and deck inspection on an average sloop in an hour or two."

[SailNet, 1 June 2004]
- Check your standing rigging

Do-it-yourself Rigging

[Article]

Personal Viewpoint By Bill Sandifer
Do-it-yourself Rigging

Account of the author′s rerigging project with comments on hardware choices. He wonders if, when you look at the hidden costs, it might be cheaper to hire a rigger. Tips on using Norseman swageless fitting are included..

[Good Old Boat, September 1999]
- Re-rigging a cruising boat

Stainless Steel Rigging

[Site]

By Mike Quill Yacht Rigging

Primer on the types and characteristics of stainless, how they can degrade and how to maintain and inspect them.

[Mike Quill Yacht Rigging Ltd., St. Catharines, ON, Canada]
- Stainless maintenance

Warning to Anyone Using Swageless End Fittings

[Article]

Brief How-To By Lin and Larry Pardey
Warning to Anyone Using Swageless End Fittings

Silicone sealant, recommended by some swageless fitting makers, can accelerate corrosion. Here′s an alternative.

[landlpardey.com, November 2000]
- Swageless advice

In The Loop

[Article]

Detailed How-To By Alan L. Smith

E-mail services make single-sideband radio popular but it′s hard to retrofit a good ground in many boats. One solution is a loop antenna using twin backstays. How to install the antenna on sloops and two-mast rigs. Photos and diagrams in print version.

[Ocean Navigator, July 2003]
- Read the article (fee $5 a year)
- Order the back issue

Standing Rigging Basics

[Article]

Detailed How-To By Mark Matthews
Standing Rigging Basics

In tough conditions, surveyors recommend that rigging be replaced every 10 years. The author discusses the common sources of failure. Includes SaillNet′s 14-point checklist for inspecting and maintaining standing rigging.

[SailNet, 17 August 2002]
- Maintaining a sailboat's standing rigging

Replacing Your Standing Rigging

[Article]

Brief How-To By Mark Matthews
Replacing Your Standing Rigging

How to replace standing rigging without unstepping the mast, one stay at a time, including measuring, assembling Sta-Lok terminals, getting the proper spreader angles, keeping steel and aluminum apart, with safety tips for going aloft.

[SailNet, 16 December 2002]
- Upgrading a sailboat's stays

Making Your Own Shroud Rollers

[Article]

Detailed How-To By Don Casey

Sheets and headsails can chafe badly on your shrouds and cutter stay unless you provide protection. Here are directions for making attractive rollers from half-round wood moldings. The results can speed your tacks as well.

[SailNet, 30 June 2003]
- Read the article on line