solenthandbook.com 32 In the world of sailing, the reliability and performance of your running rigging are principal to the overall safety and efficiency of your vessel. From the intricate network of lines to the various pulleys and blocks, proper maintenance of running rigging is essential to ensure smooth sailing and prevent unexpected issues on the water – no one wants to lose a halyard at sea or have a mooring line fail on the dock! In this article, we will explore some crucial aspects of caring for your running rigging, covering routine inspections to best practices for preservation, and selecting replacements when necessary. Some of the technical terms can be daunting, but understanding the fundamentals of the lines on board your boat and their applications will serve to enhance the enjoyment of using your yacht. Carry out a running rigging review As with most equipment on board your boat, proper care and maintenance will extend the life of the ropes on board your yacht. From mooring lines to halyards, sheets to outhauls, the demands on your running rigging will vary and caring for your ropes correctly will help prevent failures, ensure safety, and extend their lifespan. At least once a year, at the beginning or end of the sailing season, you should inspect all of your running rigging and look for signs of wear. Typical wear will show on the outside of a rope by the fibres becoming fluffy due to individual fibres breaking or wearing out. This kind of abrasion, known as chafe, usually happens gradually over long periods and it is only a serious problem when it goes unnoticed in a certain hot spot, such as a halyard exit. Look at what could be the likely origin of the damage, most commonly it is caused by the line rubbing against a sharp or rough surface. Check over potential ‘danger zones’ on deck and in the rigging such as exit points, clutches, fairleads, pulley wheels and rollers to ensure that they are free of chips, correctly aligned and run smoothly. Sheaves can often become chipped over time, and these should be replaced at the same time as the line if found to be the cause of the wear. If there is no damage to the sheave, check the profile of the groove is suitable to support the entire diameter of the rope running through it, usually a 10% greater diameter than that of the rope is appropriate. Feeling along the line as well as a visual inspection will help to identify any anomalies where the rope may be starting to show signs of wear. You may find kinks or twists in the rope, or feel compacted or hardened areas which would not be apparent to the naked eye. Consider where along the rope will be subjected to the most duress, i.e. where the halyard sits on the sheave or runs through a jammer, and pay close attention to these areas in particular. Also look at the ends or termination of the rope, especially splices and thimbles. LOOKING AFTER YOUR RUNNING RIGGING THIS SEASON NEIL BRINSDON, MANAGING DIRECTOR AT SPENCER RIGGING, COWES AND ADVANCED RIGGING & HYDRAULICS, HAMBLE RUNNING RIGGING