Module 1 - Nautical Terms
Standing and Running Rigging
What you will learn
Classify common rigging as standing or running and distinguish the jobs of shrouds, stays, halyards, sheets, boom and kicking strap.
Standing rigging supports the mast; running rigging is handled to hoist, lower and control sails.
Standing rigging is the fixed wires that hold up the mast — shrouds run from the mast to the sides of the hull, the forestay runs forward, and the backstay runs aft. These are tensioned and rarely adjusted while sailing.
Running rigging is the ropes you actively use to control sails. A halyard hoists a sail up. A sheet controls the angle of a sail to the wind. The mainsheet controls the mainsail, the jib sheets control the headsail. The boom is the horizontal pole along the foot of the mainsail, controlled by the mainsheet and kicking strap (or vang).
Follow a simple hoist-and-trim sequence
The main halyard is used to hoist the mainsail. Once hoisted, the mainsheet and kicking strap control the boom and sail shape while the standing rigging continues to support the mast.
1. Identify
Trace the line before loading it and confirm that it is the intended halyard or sheet.
2. Keep clear
Check that the halyard, sail and crew are clear of snags and pinch points before hoisting.
3. Control
Use the relevant sheet and other controls for trim; do not expect the halyard to perform the sheet's job.
Sense check: If pulling a line changes the sail's angle to the wind rather than raising it, you are probably handling a sheet, not a halyard.
Common mistake or limitation
- A halyard hoists or lowers a sail; a sheet controls its angle. The line's name comes from its job, not simply where it is found.
- Some yachts have adjustable backstays or running backstays. Rig arrangements vary, and damaged or uncertain rigging needs competent inspection rather than guesswork.
Recap
- Shrouds and stays are standing rigging that support the mast in different directions.
- Halyards hoist sails and sheets control their angle.
- The mainsheet and kicking strap control different aspects of the boom and mainsail.
Optional quick check
Section 6 of 8
Which line would you normally use to raise the mainsail?
Continue studying Nautical Terms
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