Page 38 - The Complete Rigger’s Apprentice

Mousing a Hook

Mousing a hook prevents the load from hopping
out. But make certain before you apply the load
that the load is on the hook, not on the mousing.
Figure 1-22A. Boom lacing. Short lines square-knot-
ted around boom; uses the least line and is fairly
snug.

load coming mousing
on mousing

Figure 1-22B. Spiral lacing—quick and easy, but
loose.

Figure 1-22C. Half Hitches—more time-consuming,
The Subjects but more snug.
Consider the things you want to lash. What shapes
are they? What materials? How heavy? Under what
conditions are they expected to remain together? Is the other hand, long pieces are sometimes appropri-
the lashing permanent or temporary? The answers ate when the idea is more to contain than to bind, or
to these questions will determine the configuration, where only moderate tension is needed.
degree of tension, and the kind and size of cordage Sometimes, whether to use long or short lengths
used for the lashing. Remember that with mechan- of cordage is a matter of judgment, as on the boom in
ical advantage, you can often afford to be gentle. Figure 1-22 where several techniques for lacing the
Don’t crush a light, fragile load. To preserve the foot of the sail are shown. The ideal technique would
rope, pad corners and contain the load just to the be strong, adjustable, unobtrusive, easy to remove,
extent the situation demands. On the other hand, and would simultaneously snug the foot down and
don’t be afraid to snug right down on a heavy sub- pull it aft. One method (Figure 1-22A) is to have a
ject; loose deck or freeway loads can be murderous. short line through each eyelet, the ends square-knot-
ted around the boom. This uses a minimum of line
The Long and Short of It and is stout and adjustable. Next comes a simple spi-
Use a minimum of material, especially for heavy ral through successive eyelets, a method employed
work. This promotes economy. Take the shortest on the Gloucester fishing schooners. While easy to
distance between points, to minimize stretch. Avoid apply, and remove, it can’t be adjusted along its
figure-eight turns unless nothing else will do—they length for changing sail shape. Half Hitches (Figure
use more line than round turns and so can generate 1-22C) are less convenient but more snug. They are
more slack. Use several short pieces in preference to made in small line, one at a time, and tightened with
one long one for optimum fit, minimum slack, and the aid of a marlingspike. Make the hitch up close to
insurance (if one parts, the others might hold). On the eyelet so that as it tightens it pulls the sail down

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