Marlinspike & Rigging Seminar

Do you know that you should coil braided line in figure eights and laid line in clockwise loops? Haven’t you always wanted to learn how to secure the end of a line by whipping it with twine and needle? Why do we use nylon line for docklines and dacron line for sheets? Which reduces the breaking strength of a line more, a bowline or a splice?

We will teach you where to use low stretch line and where stretchy line is best. You’ll learn the differences between braided and laid line. We’ll review the benefits of mechanical advantage from block and tackle assemblies as well as the proper terms and vernacular for those systems. And we'll take you beyond the bowline to learn some very useful loops and bends, as well as how to put an eye splice in 3-strand laid line.

We'll discuss standing rigging design and principles. Learn about the different types of wire rope and their applications in standing rigging and steering systems. How is a J24 rig different from an Olson 25, and a J105 from a Catalina 36? We'll discuss the process involved in unstepping and stepping a mast. And you will learn how a mast is properly tuned for safety, speed, and control. We’ll also review important safety considerations in going aloft and avoiding heavily loaded lines.

Topics covered:

• Types of line and applications
  
• Cutting and whipping
  
• Advanced knot tying
  
• 3-Strand eye splices
  
• Block and tackle assemblies
  
• Types of wire rope and applications
  
• Basic differences in standing rigging design
• Unstepping and stepping a mast
• Rig tuning
• Going aloft and other safety considerations