Just for clarification purposes.
On one particular boat(an old Crocker ketch),the caps drape over the uppers,angled slightly aft, then directly to the chainplates. The intermediates start at the uppers and follow over the lower spreaders to a chainplate. Also two fore and aft lowers directly two chainplates. Added to those are a couple of runners appropriately located. I was surprised to see the length of the run from the uppers to a chainplate.
I posted this on wooden boat under "Mast Riigging question". Got some really good responses.
After seeing it on this boat, I noticed it on a couple others. All older wooden boats.
http://www.cruisingworld.com/sailboa...tch-comes-home