Sailboat Rigging
Sailboat
rigging on a sailboat is the collection of apparatuses through which the
force of the wind is transferred to the ship, in order to propel it forward.
The term rigging consists of a group of mechanical sailing apparatus, that
are attached to the sailboat's hull in order to move the boat as a whole.
This could include ropes and/or cables attaching the spars and sails. This
will allow to manipulate their position and sail shape. The sails are mostly
aerofoil usually made of light weight fabric used to catch the wind. Among
the rigging components are spars, masts and other solid objects to whom the
sails are attached.
The term standing rigging on a sailboat refers to a series of lines,
wires, and rods which are fixed in position to make the sailboat move
while under sail. It specifically stands for the rigging parts that are
placed under tension to keep the various spars, mast, and bowsprit,
securely in position to make the sail handle wind loads.
- I = Height of headstay
termination above the sheer line
- J = Distance between
the headstay termination at the deck and the front of the mast at the
sheer line.
- P = Distance between
black bands on the mast, or the maximum luff length of the main.
- E = Distance between
black bands on the boom, or the maximum foot length of the main
- PY & EY are similar to
P & E, but indicate mizzen dimensions
- Fore-mast - the first
mast, or the main-mast
- Main-mast - the
tallest mast of the ship
- Mizzen-mast - The mast
immediately aft of the main-mast
- Jigger-mast - the
fourth mast
The rigging mast of a
sailboat is a tall vertical pole which supports the sails. Bigger ships
could have several masts. This will vary depending on the size and
configuration of the ship. The sailboat's masts are named from bow to stern
or front to back.
Rigging parts of a
typical triangular sail
- The upper point is
known as the head
- The halyard is the
line which raises the sail
- The the bottom edge of
the sail has two points
- The tack is the
forward one and clew aft
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