Getting into sailing and taking a very active hand in building my newest boat has been great for me. I've learned a lot about all aspects of what needs to be done "properly" on a sailboat. This has also helped me in my current trade of being a theatrical technician (stage hand). One area that I regularly work in is what is called "ground rigging" in theatres and arenas. Since becoming familiar with sailboat rigging I've notice more things that are just "a little off", so to speak, with some of the rigging seen in my area or work.
I thank Brion for putting this forum of open discussion on the internet.
In a work venue where there are "lives at stake" when you put something suspended over the heads of thousands of people there needs to be some sort of standard so the rigging is done properly & consistently. This concern for standards has led to a "certification" process in the area of theatrical rigging. For a look at what the newest process of certification is for this rigging specialty go look at:
http://etcp.esta.org/candidateinfo/riggingexams.html
I am not implying that there needs to be anything quite like that done with sailboat rigging.
It is nice to see that there is a thought of getting a cohesive set of working standards together so everyone is "on the same page" with regards to sailboat rigging. Some of the rigging that I've seen on some boats is really appalling after doing some studying on the subject.
I'm just watching & learning here on the forum and again I thank Brion for the access to this information.
Carl