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SAILBOAT HARDWARE |
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RUNNING RIGGING
What It Does
Running rigging is a general term for rope (line) or wire on sailboats,
used to hoist and trim sails. It consists of halyards, sheets, guys, control lines, and
assorted specialized lines. By creating tension on the corners of sails and other sail
controls, running rigging is used to shape sails and propel the boat forward
WINCHES
What They Do
Winches allow you to exert force on lines by combining gear reduction
and leverage. By using a longer handle which turns a smaller diameter drum, and by
utilizing ratchets to keep the drum from turning the wrong way, winches let you tame sails
which would otherwise be too hard to control
BLOCKS
Safe Working Load vs. Breaking Strength: What is the
Difference?
Safe working load is the maximum load that a block can
handle while still working properly. Breaking strength is the load at which a block will
begin to yield and start to deform. When loaded to its breaking strength, the block can be
damaged to the point beyond normal use and repair. As a rough rule of thumb, a block's
safe working load can be determined by dividing its breaking strength in half.
Roller Furling & Reefing
There was a time when serious sailors frowned on using
furling gear: the sacrifice in performance was deemed too much for the convenience
offered. Early furling systems didn't help themselves much either, being weighty, awkward,
and unreliable. But times change. Advances in design mean that today's sailors can take
advantage of roller furling systems without losing out in the quest for speed. And what of
the detractors? Well, a lot of our Members and customers are older and consequently find
the new systems more to their liking. Others like the convenience of modern furling gear.
We think that anything that gets you out on the water more regularly has to be worthwhile.
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