Running Rigging
The running rigging is the term for all the moving lines on board that are used for setting, dousing, and trimming the sails. By contrast, the standing rigging is fixed to the mast and the hull and does not move.
Halyards
Sails are set and lowered with the halyards. They are named after the sail they belong to:
- Main halyard for setting the mainsail.
- Jib halyard or genoa halyard for the headsail.
- Spinnaker halyard for the spinnaker.
Halyards must have low stretch so that the sail keeps its shape once set.
Sheets
The sheets control the angle of the set sail to the wind. They too are named after their sail:
- Mainsheet for the mainsail.
- Jib sheet or genoa sheet for the headsail.
- Spinnaker sheet and spinnaker brace for the spinnaker.
Trim Lines
Trim lines allow fine adjustment of the sail shape:
- Cunningham: tensions the luff of the mainsail.
- Vang: pulls the boom down and so controls the depth of the sail's profile.
- Backstay tensioner: changes the bend of the mast and thus the shape of the mainsail.
- Reef lines: used to reduce the sail area in strong wind.
Handling
So that the running rigging works reliably, the following points should be observed:
- After use, coil sheets and halyards cleanly so they don't tangle.
- Secure ends with a figure-eight knot so that they cannot run out of blocks or clutches.
- Replace worn lines in good time, since broken halyards or sheets quickly become dangerous on board.