Standing Rigging
The standing rigging comprises all wires and stays fixed to the hull and to the mast that hold the mast in position. By contrast, the sails are set and trimmed with the running rigging.
Purpose
The standing rigging takes up the tension and compression forces that the wind transmits through the sails to the mast. Without this bracing, the mast would buckle under load. Today the standing rigging is usually made from stainless steel wire, or, on high-performance yachts, from carbon fibre or aramid rods.
Shrouds
The shrouds support the mast laterally. They run from the masthead or spreader heights to the side of the hull, where they are anchored at the chainplates and pre-tensioned with rigging screws.
- Upper shroud: from the masthead to the side of the hull.
- Lower shroud: from a spreader height to the side of the hull.
With several spreader heights the shrouds are named accordingly (e.g. intermediate shroud).
Stays
The stays support the mast in the longitudinal direction:
- Forestay: from the masthead to the bow. The headsail is normally hoisted along it.
- Backstay: from the masthead to the stern. It can be fitted with a backstay tensioner to control the bend of the mast.
- Inner forestay and runners: additional stays on larger or racing yachts.
Standing Rigging Hardware
Various fittings are used for attachment and tensioning:
- Chainplate: hardware fixed to the hull where shrouds and stays terminate at the bottom.
- Rigging screw (turnbuckle): allows length and tension adjustment of the shrouds.
- Spreader: lateral spreader at the mast that pushes the shrouds outwards for a better angle of attack.
- Mast step: bearing point of the mast on the deck or keel.
Inspection
Before each trip, the standing rigging should be checked for the following:
- Visual inspection of the shrouds and stays for broken wires (so-called "meat hooks").
- Tightness and locking of the rigging screws with split pins or wire.
- Symmetric pre-tension on both sides of the boat, so the mast stands upright.