Rigging new mast

[glynn]

This is a bit of a big question, but..

I am just completing a 35ft cutter and am hoping to do all the rigging. I have the hide and the marline for the soft eyes and am ready to start, but when these are made how can I possibly get the length of these until the mast is stepped, and then how do I bring it all together.
I know the plans will give me a rough idea, but there is no guarantee my home build will come out as per plan.
Brion's book talks of rigging a mast, but not from scratch.
Any suggestions wwould be appreciated.

[Brian Duff]

make the rigging 'open ended' or cut longer than thought needed- in pair so that the left and right shourds that oppose eachother are the SAME LENGTH. step rig. stabalize with lines if deck stepped or just leave it up there if keel stepped, then set the rake where needed , figure your lengths, match the ends of each pair and split the difference in your marks. cut and splice.

[glynn]

Thanks Brian,
You make it sound so easy.
The mast is keel stepped so I'm glad you share the opinion that it should be alright left unstayed.
I thought each shroud had to be longer than the one under it with soft eyes to take into account the marline and leather?

Thanks for giving me the confidence to go ahead.

[Brian Duff]

do your upper splices, place all shourds on the rig, then before stepping bring them taut on centerline of the rig to establish the 'same length' of each side.

make sense?

there are also ways to measure the boat to get the lengths first, but this is fairly complicated and has a high potential for wasting your time, better to just step then terminate...

[glynn]

Yes sounds fine, Brian.
Thanks again.
I might be back