Understanding Rigs and Rigging (Paperback)

~ Richard Henderson (Author) "EVER SINCE PRIMITIVE MAN FIRST STOOD up on a floating tree and spread a skin to the breeze, sailors have been looking for a better..." (more)
Key Phrases: exotic rigs, luff foil, gaff vang, Rod Stephens, North Sails, Nicro Fico (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review

"An exceptionally detailed look at everything above deck on a sailboat." -- Yachting

"Details specific enough to guide sailboat owners in assessments of their own rigs are the strength of this survey." -- Soundings

"Illustrations, schematics and photographs are extremely well chosen and placed... readable and entertaining, and lives up to its title." -- GAM

Product Description

Understanding Rigs and Rigging by Richard "Jud" Henderson provides you with a detailed look at a subject that is too important to gloss over.

Beginning with a review of the history of sailboat rigs, Henderson moves quickly to modern fore-and-aft rigs, taking time for a sampling of the more exotic rig configurations that may be seen sailing today, such as the luna, modern Chinese lug rigs, cat ketches, and wing sails. There is a thorough look at masts and other spars, with a very complete discussion of wood, aluminum, carbon-fiber, and other materials as they are used in spar construction. You will find out how best to utilize your rig in a manner compatible with your sailing interests.

There are chapters on standing and running rigging, with a detailed look at their components; discussions of rigging constructions such as wire and rod, and the most effective terminal fittings for each; and information on turnbuckles, chainplates, tangs, and backstay adjustors. Henderson gives you a comparison of halyards (should yours be all rope, or wire and rope?); a look at winches, cleats, blocks, and levers; and a most helpful section on deck layout.

You will also read about sail trim and basic aerodynamics, and learn how to set up and tune your rig to optimize rake, shroud tension, lateral bend, mast flexing, and stay tension. The final chapter looks at improvements, modifications, and offshore rig considerations, including such elements as changing mast length and converting a sloop to a yawl or cutter, or vice versa.

Throughout the book, Jud Henderson draws on his experience to focus on safety issues. For the newcomer and the experienced sailor alike, there is no excuse for putting a poorly selected rig in any boat that may venture offshore. Understanding Rigs and Rigging will provide you with the information you need to rig your boat properly.

"This is an exceptionally detailed look at everything above the deck on a sailboat. Henderson is an experienced author and sailor, and he has organized a tremendous amount of information in one volume."--Yachting

"Details specific enough to guide sailboat owners in assessments of their own rigs are the strength of this survey. After reading this book's recommendations on points as various as how to keep a mast heel dry and how to check for correct bend in shroud tangs, many readers will make some changes."--Soundings

Product Details

• Paperback: 272 pages
• Publisher: International Marine Publishing; Rev Sub edition (November 1, 1990)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0071563040
• ISBN-13: 978-0071563048
• Product Dimensions: 10 x 7 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #589,751 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

36 of 37 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The best single volume I have found on small sailboat rigs, September 27, 1999

By	J. M. Lane (Larchmont, NY USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I have a fairly large collection of sailing books, and this is one of the few that has become worn from use. I guess I've probably read the whole book at least five times, reading and re-reading various chapters as questions occur to me. The book is surprisingly readable, given what could be an overly technical or difficult subject area. It's a very practical little guide book. For anyone who is thinking about, or trying to understand, the rigging of small sailboats (I mean, say, under 100 feet), this is a very good book to have. Highly recommended. Mark Lane

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars NO NUMBERS, August 31, 2003

By	Marri Lorenzo "marrilorenzo" (Sea) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I bought this book looking for an help to clarify me how to make choices about rigging and rigs .But for me there a not enough diagrams or tables .

1 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Not for the beginner, June 11, 2003

By	Tezza "Tezza" (USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

I'm building a sailboat, and being new to sailing, I was hoping this book would give me a fairly basic overview to rigging. Instead, this book is more a discussion for the intermediate or advanced sailor, who already understands rigging however is looking for a general discussion of best practices.

I doubt this book would be of much use to the novice.