Standing or Running Rigging

[Plomong]

Would the forum consider a running backstay to be part of the standing rigging ????

Answers on the back of an envelope, please !!!!

Plomong

 

[l'escargot]

Bit of both?

 

[skodster]

I suppose that if it holds the mast up it's standing and if not, it's running? (only my guess)

 

[Concerto]

It helps support the mast, so standing rigging.

If it supported a sail or moveable boom, then running rigging.

 

[Plomong]

It helps support the mast, so standing rigging.

If it supported a sail or moveable boom, then running rigging.

That's my view also, but then I could be wrong !!!

Thanks.

Plomong

 

[Twister_Ken]

Standing. Standing is concerned with keeping the rig up. Running is concerned with keeping the sails up. I think!

 

[l'escargot]

How about standing is usually set, running you adjust as you sail?

 

[Twister_Ken]

How about standing is usually set, running you adjust as you sail?

Except that backstay tension gets adjusted quite frequently on some boats, including mine.

 

[l'escargot]

Except that backstay tension gets adjusted quite frequently on some boats, including mine.

That's what I'm saying - is not a running back stay running rigging and a fixed back stay standing rigging?

 

[sailorman]

Would the forum consider a running backstay to be part of the standing rigging ????

Answers on the back of an envelope, please !!!!

Plomong

Yes
we have check stays as the cap & inter chain plates are in line with the mast + a baby stay. in a seaway the mast will "pant" without the check stay

 

[Twister_Ken]

That's what I'm saying - is not a running back stay running rigging and a fixed back stay standing rigging?

The backstay I adjust is not a running backstay, but THE backstay. A running backstay's role is stop the mast falling down, even though it is only used on one tack or gybe - thus, because it supports the mast, not the sails - it is standing rigging. Running rigging is attached to a sail, standing rigging to a mast. (IMHO)

 

[sailorman]

The backstay I adjust is not a running backstay, but THE backstay. A running backstay's role is stop the mast falling down, even though it is only used on one tack or gybe - thus, because it supports the mast, not the sails - it is standing rigging. Running rigging is attached to a sail, standing rigging to a mast. (IMHO)

agreed

 

[snowleopard]

Running rigging is necessary, standing rigging is not

 

[Twister_Ken]

Running rigging is necessary, standing rigging is not

Snowie, was that you in Haslar on Wednesday morning, and going west later in the day? If so, apologies for having my back turned as you went past. Madame said "Does that man know us?. He gave a very big wave."

 

[Searush]

Running rigging is necessary, standing rigging is not

Most rigs would just be junk if they had no standing rigging . . . :encouragement:

But a Junk rig would still be standing.

 

[Salty John]

Chapman's Pilotage has an interesting take on the subject. It defines standing rigging as the structure required to support the sails - including the mast. It says that because modern boats have adjustable standing rigging - backstay adjuster, for example - "the line between standing and running rigging is becoming blurred".

I'll go with standing rigging attaches to the mast, running rigging attaches to the sails.

What does that make a topping lift, though?

 

[Searush]

Chapman's Pilotage has an interesting take on the subject. It defines standing rigging as the structure required to support the sails - including the mast. It says that because modern boats have adjustable standing rigging - backstay adjuster, for example - "the line between standing and running rigging is becoming blurred".

I'll go with standing rigging attaches to the mast, running rigging attaches to the sails.

What does that make a topping lift, though?

Topping lift is running rigging, it only passes thro a block on the mast (like a halliard) & does not fasten to or support the mast. On a square rigger, the booms/ yards are raised & lowered with running rigging to reef or stow sails.

 

[Salty John]

Topping lift is running rigging, it only passes thro a block on the mast (like a halliard) & does not fasten to or support the mast.

But many smaller boats have a topping lift attached to the masthead and adjusted at the end of the boom. Still, I'd always think of the topping lift as running rigging, even though it supports a spar and not a sail.

 

[Twister_Ken]

I tend to think of the topping lift as a) a spare main halyard or b) redundant if you have a spring, gas or screw kicker.

 

[l'escargot]

But many smaller boats have a topping lift attached to the masthead and adjusted at the end of the boom. Still, I'd always think of the topping lift as running rigging, even though it supports a spar and not a sail.

My boat is 38' and I have a wire topping lift attached to the mast with a block and halyard on the boom end that is led back to the cockpit - a similar combination of wire, rope and blocks to some running back stays in fact