Page 199 - The Complete Rigger’s Apprentice

Will It Fit?

When laying out a new rig, pay close attention to
hardware compatibility. Do the thimbles fit into
the turnbuckles, tangs, and shackles? Are all clevis
pin holes the same size, and do they line up? If
you’re installing a jib foil or other rollerish fitting,
is the wire size compatible? Are all components of
comparable strength? Rigging layout involves a lot
more than length.

are in good condition and lead properly, and find
out whether the owner (if you are not the owner)
intends to alter or replace any of them. If the upper
terminals are spliced or seized soft eyes, see if they
are of sufficiently large circumference to lead fairly
from the mast (Figure 6-2). Try to think of any
other variables peculiar to the particular boat and Figure 6-2. Soft eyes should lead fairly from the mast
rig. When you can’t think of anything else to note, (left); avoid a soft eye so small that considerable lat-
remove the mast, tag all the pieces, and bring them eral strain comes on it (right).
back to your shop.
On a stretch of floor longer than the longest thimble head and stem fitting: 16 inches. Add
piece of the rig, lay out a tape measure; drive all but 5 inches to new forestay length, to leave 11 inches
2 or 3 inches of a large nail in at point “0,” mak- space for ⁄16-inch turnbuckle and toggle.
5
5
ing sure “0” is not in the middle of a doorway or “The ⁄16-inch jibstay turnbuckle two-blocked,
other traveled area. For long-term convenience, you no toggle. Space between thimble bottom and stem
3
might want to mark and number 1-foot intervals on fitting: 7 ⁄ 4 inches. No slack in jibstay w/ two-
the floor and use a short tape or measuring stick to blocked turnbuckle, so subtract 3 ⁄2 inches from
1
measure smaller increments from these marks for length to fit extended turnbuckle and toggle.”
each piece. Get out the starboard after lower shroud, set one
Now go off to the stationer, get an accounting thimble over the nail, stretch the wire, and check its
pad, and fill it in as in Figure 6-3. In this case we length to the bottom of the other thimble. According
have a pair of lower shrouds and one upper shroud on
each side, plus forestay and jibstay. The “Diameter/
Construction” is a uniform ⁄16-inch 7 x 7. “Con- Table 5. Matching Wire and
3
figuration” is thimbled splice (“Th.”) at both ends, Turnbuckle Sizes
and the combined turnbuckle and toggle length for
all pieces is 11 inches.
Skipping over to “Notes,” we might enter some-
thing like:
“All shroud turnbuckles correct diameter
1
( ⁄16 inch) and at consistent ⁄2 extension [ideal] but
5
lack toggles. Subtract 1 ⁄2 inches from all shroud
1
lengths to fit toggles.
“Forestay has overextended ⁄8-inch turnbuckle
3
and two shackles. Stay too short. Space between
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