Rigging Your Boat
 

Hi everyone,
Here's a plug: On May 9th and 10th we are holding a "Rigging Your Boat" workshop here in Point Hudson. This has been an extremely popular class, with a lot of happy feedback from students who have gone on to tackle rigging projects that they would otherwise never have dreamed of doing. Very gratifying. Anyway I realize that this is short notice, but this is the only one of these classes that we will hold in P.T. this year. So if you have rigging aspirations, click on "Education", then scroll down to see the details for the Port Townsend workshop.
As far as what you'll be doing goes, we will start at the design level, calculating loads and getting an idea of things like vectors and the behavior of columns, then go right into hands-on practice at the most important fabrications skills: drilling and tapping; cutting spars and foils; locating and installing hardware; working aloft; tuning; rope splicing; etc. At every station you'll hear tips on safety and efficiency, plus information on specialized tools and little-known techniques that help the job go faster and smoother.
We will also have a special guest speaker, Sean Rankin of Northwest Sails. Sean is a deeply experienced sailmaker with an appreciation for the dynamic interaction of sails and rigging. He'll be providing insight into the importance of sheeting angles, halyard tension, mast shape, rig tune, travelers, and all the other rigging components that we will be learning how to design and build.
I'll end by noting that the Hood Canal Bridge will be closed for the month of May, but that we and other businesses in Port Townsend are taking measures to help get you here and back painlessly. There are several options, including having us pick you up at the foot ferry landing by the bridge, or driving through Bremerton, or even taking the freight ferry from Edmonds. So if you are looking to see Port Townsend in the Spring, without a bunch of tourists to get in your way, and to participate in a massively informative rigging workshop, here is your chance.
Fair leads,
Brion Toss

PS,
If you are active on other forums, please consider letting people know about the workshop.

Brion, Were I closer to the west coast, I would surely be interested in your forthcoming presentation, but, as an east coast guy, it's just a little too far. But, since the subject is "rigging your boat", I have a question that hopefully you or someone else can help with. I'm planning to upgrade my main and jib halyards, and am looking at Yale Crystalyne as a possibility because of its strength (plenty of that!), low stretch, creep resistance, flexibility, and cost effectiveness. The boat is an Ericson 38, and I'm looking at 3/8" line for ease of handling (I'd prefer 7/16", but the cost differential is pretty steep). I'm concerned about splicing this line - I'm told it requires a core-to-core splice, and I have your VHS video on Making Your Own Eye Splices, but that doesn't seem to cover the core-to-core case. I also have your splicing wand - great product! - and am wondering if you have some instructions on how I can make this splice.
Thanks in advance,
Gil Edwards

3/8" is perfect, we set many E38's up that way. 5/16" is ok, but kinda small for your self tailers and clutches

Almost worth a trip...
 

Gee, it would almost be worth a trip from Australia for this :-)

I attended this class this winter and if you're looking to build up your terminology, wrap your heads around how to look at loads on your boat, see the tools of trade and get a bit of hands on experience, then this is a great class. I think it increased my general knowledge and has prepared me for my next conversations with a rigger as I plan my own re-rig.

I would highly reccomend pre-reading chapter 5 in Brion's book. I had never read any of his book before the class and I think I would have picked up a bit more had I read that chapter before the class, but you could away with out it and Brion will probably give you a deal on a signed copy there in the loft if you'd rather wait. ;-)

Also, bring any and all schematics and part lists of your rigging for your boat. I had mine and that made the class more practicial to me.

Enjoy, well worth the trip and Port Townsend is a neat town with several good places to eat and drink (of course). Check out yelp.com for reccomendations if you've never been there.

Thanks, Brian

Details
 

Hi all,
First, thanks to Patrick for the kind words about the class. How's that boat coming, Patrick?
Next, the core-to-core splice is emphatically covered in the splicing video. If you can't find it, please be in touch with christian@briontoss.com.
And yes, 3/8" is massive for your boat. 5/16" is too, but as Brian notes it would be too small for the belay, let alone your hands. The best option might be to use 5/16", then splice it into a 7/16" Dacron tail. You'd get lightness aloft, a net savings in cost, and comfy handling. How to do the splice? We haven't published that yet, but you could come to the class...
Fair leads,
Brion Toss

Do you ever run workshops on the East Coast?

Jim Fulton

I seacond that, any in New England and I would be there!!

I agree about an East Coast Option. It would be really nice if it coincided with the wooden boat show or classic boat shows both of which are in Mystic this year.