Page 68 - The Complete Rigger’s Apprentice

Figure 2-31. Galvanized shackles are commonly used

Figure 2-30. Here a twisting force of 125 pounds as toggles with galvanized turnbuckles, but a stan-
could easily put 2,000 pounds of tension on standing dard chainplate (left) provides relatively little bearing
rigging. The device is so efficient that it’s very easy to surface for the long shackle pin. It would be better in
put too much tension into a rig, so tune carefully. this case to have a chainplate shaped as at right, to
prevent an excessive unsupported length.

the form of a toggle on each turnbuckle. When using shift and bang around, inducing “shock loading.”
1 x 19 wire, rod rigging, or mechanical terminals A shock load occurs when a weight fetches up
on any material, it’s a good idea to have a one at short on a line, as with a dog running out of leash.
the upper terminal, too. On stays that carry sails, As the gauge in Figure 2-32 shows, the force exerted
a toggle at the upper end is mandatory. One often at the fetch-up point is considerably higher than
sees galvanized turnbuckles with shackles used as the weight of the object imposing the load. Anyone
toggles. This doesn’t seem like a good idea to me, who has seen pile drivers or draft horses at work
since shackle pins are designed for broader bearing knows that shock-loading can be turned to useful
surfaces than chainplates ordinarily provide (Figure employment, but it is hell on running and standing
2-31). It would be better to fabricate a broad-bear- rigging, the fittings they make up to, and the masts
ing chainplate, go with bronze turnbuckles and tog- and hull that they make up to. Pretty soon you’re
gles, or have galvanized toggles cast. shock-loading your bank account.
So take up slack smartly, ease it out smoothly,
A GENERAL ADMONITION and minimize sail flog with efficient tacks. Keep
TO KEEP THINGS TAUT standing rigging properly tuned (even if you’re not
(OR AT LEAST NOT SLACK) concerned with high-level performance) and always
be ready to let the sheets run if you’re hit by a sud-
Rope, a creature of tension, does not fare well if it den squall (even if you are interested in high-level
is not kept set up while in use. How firmly set up is performance). Shock load when under tow can be
determined by vessel, materials, and circumstances, avoided by paying out tow rope until the two vessels
but slack is always to be avoided. Slack allows rise and fall on the waves simultaneously. Just keep
the large, heavy objects that rope must contain to that dog in mind.

47