Page 347 - The Complete Rigger’s Apprentice

calculations for an ideal rig, nor install ideal compo- excuse for this; emergency gear costs little and takes
nents. But your jury rig can only be as good as what up little space, while knowledge is absolutely free
you know, and who you are when the accident hap- and goes with you everywhere. Consider the possi-
pens. Absence of design education is the reason that bility of accidents, speculate on various courses of
so many attempted jury rigs fail at the first or sec- action, and stock and learn accordingly. Stress ver-
ond or third attempt: people don’t understand the satility: accidents are never exactly as you imagine,
effects of angles, of unsupported lengths, of materi- and there are always surprising complications. The
als properties, righting moment, and all of the other result of your wide-ranging preparations will be a
fundamentals that lie behind the art of rigging. greatly reduced chance of ever having to use them.
Most boats do not carry spare rigging, cable As Stewart Brand’s fine-grain philosophy puts it,
clips, wire rope cutters, or much else that might “Take care of the big problems, and the little prob-
be of use in an emergency. Worse yet, they do not lems will defeat you; take care of the little problems,
carry crew who can splice barehanded, use cleats and the big problems will take care of themselves.”
as tangs, or raise an impromptu mast. There’s no Smooth sailing.

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