Skippers' Checklist: Running rigging

By Alan Lucas.

Following last month's standing rigging check, running rigging is reviewed here. But first a word of warning: if you haven't been aloft in the bosun's chair for a long time, look for weaknesses before ascending by climbing via the mast steps or attach two halyards to the chair, one hoisting and the other chasing. Also, examine the chair itself; old stitching can give way and dump you from a great height.

If in doubt about halyard-health, reeve a new one before going aloft. A simple method from the deck is to butt the old and new halyards together and lightly secure them with needle and thread. Strengthen the join and make it run fair by seizing it with masking tape then pull the old halyard down and the new one will follow.

What to look for
With halyard-health established, go aloft and examine all blocks for wear and look for deformed shackles, loose pins and so on. In the case of wire halyards and running backstays, condemn them outright if any broken strands are found. Internal halyards - rope or wire - also need close inspection, especially the part within the mast that is rarely sighted in normal use.

If familiarity has bred contempt towards the roller-furler, re-acquaint yourself with its halyard system and make sure it is working okay. The day may come when its sail needs to be removed quickly without having to recall how it works.

While you're at it, inspect the sail for chafed stitching, particularly the UV strip that can flag off and catch around the shrouds, raising the possibility of having to cut the sail down to save the ship. Also, double-check the clew for wear and tear.

Roller-furlers
Roller-furled headsails unfurl themselves if the furling line lets go. Check this line to prevent a disastrous chain reaction. Unattended moored craft have been known to sail themselves in circles for weeks, shredding their sails and damaging neighbouring craft. Rows of yachts in hardstand yards have also fallen like dominos after a windward vessel's sail accidentally unfurled.

To double-indemnify yourself against this type of event (in the absence of a drum-brake), tie a line around the furled sail as high as you can reach. The closer to the clew the more effective it becomes.

Sheets and their blocks should be checked thoroughly before departure, and constantly under way.

Sheets can be periodically washed in warm, soapy water to remove dirt and salt to keep them soft and durable.

DIA 1.
Regardless of how you reach the top of your mast, secure yourself with a harness or, at the very least, a short length of rope with an eye in one end through which the tail is passed to form an easily released sheet bend. It can be secured in a figure eight around you and the mast to increase resistance.

DIA 2 2. To reeve a new halyard without going aloft, butt the old and new halyards together and lightly sew, then bind with masking tape. This join will not tolerate much strain so make sure it can run freely as it is being pulled through the mast cap block.

Before committing yourself to going aloft, climb the steps or ratlines first for a preliminary inspection of halyards, blocks etc., and if in doubt, use two halyards, one hoisting. the other chasing.