Standard Rigging Practices

[Brian Duff]

Brion-
I too have been on this idea for years, and have compiled pages upon pages of notes with processes for rigging, or regular ways of doing things. But of course these are only my regular ways, and thats the problem with any book written by one person or a small team, it only reflects their expirience. It would be loads of fun to get a larger sort of surveying process to find out what the most 'standard practices' are (of course also a way of sorting out the best practices)

on and on....

[Brion Toss]

Hi Brian,
Just spoke with Brooks Jones tonight. For those of you who may not know, he is the remarkable man behind Sailing Services in Miami. Anyway, he also brought up the idea of some form of standards, and not for the first time. The topic also came up a couple of weeks ago, when we had some Disneyland riggers here for a splicing workshop. In fact, it pretty much always comes up any time I talk with people who care about this art, and are sick, literally sometimes, at the unfortunate excuses for rigging that we too often see.
Yes, we are only individuals, with our own preferences and prejudices, but we are also the people doing the work, and often redoing it when clients come in with rigs that were done badly elsewhere. If we are paying attention at all, we know what works, and why. If our opinions don't hold water, it will be easy enough for someone to demonstrate this. I say go into this with the idea of setting the standards at a level that many will perceive as unreasonably high; if we start getting squawks about it, we will know we are on the right track.
So let us begin. I don't know where we could begin depositing ideas, but perhaps someone out there can help us. Perhaps we need a Wiki-type setup, where those acknowledged as editors could sort and refine the details. Brooks, long ago, suggested that things could be as simple -- and as crucial -- as the ability to read a tape measure and a caliper gauge. I would add that one should be able to read a metric as well as a rational tape, and know how to convert from one to the other, at least with a calculator, but perhaps with a formula as well. And the gauge reading would involve the use of a Vernier scale, as well as dial and digital. Starting there, we could have a whole section just on measuring. It could also include how to calculate stretch and strength from a variety of materials and lengths.
A natural segue could be to getting the relative sizes and strengths of components, with the ability to track everything back to the righting moment of the vessel. These are not matters of specialized math, but rather of simple arithmetic, for the most part.
Some notion of the nature of rig design would seem essential. Again, I am not talking about elaborate engineering, and not just because I am relatively clueless on the subject. But I personally love it when engineers tell me that I comprehend enough of their subject to meet their standards at putting together a sensible rig, and by extension to know when I should be calling in the big guns. So any evaluation of a rigger should, if at all possible, include proof that they know their limits.
On the handwork side, we need destruction tests done for everyone who claims to know how to splice or to assemble terminals. We need candidates to have mastered -- really mastered -- a basic knot vocabulary, and be able to prove it under pressure, which is to say in a timed event. We need people who can put a reasonable tune onto at least the basic conventional rigs, and to understand what they are doing. We need people who can assemble furlers properly, service winches, drill and tap, set rivets, etc.
So how about it, are we ready to stand up and tell the larger world that high standards are a good idea? Are we ready to have a structure that rewards participants with a certificate that they can hang on the wall, like most good mechanics, so that clients will have at least a better chance with the person they entrust their rigging to?
Let me just add that I am promoting this idea with a profound appreciation for my own faults, and a vivid memory of my own less-than-intelligent work in the past. I don't expect to become infallible; I just know that, to the extent that I have happy clients, it is because to some extent I have managed to work to good standards. Codifying standards that "good riggers", however we choose to define that term, can subscribe to is a high priority.
Any notions?
Fair leads,
Brion Toss

[Auspicious]

Classically the determination of "best practices" has been through publication with peer review. That seems to flush opinion away from information on the part of both authors and reviewers.

There are a number of societies, some that have their own certifications (like ABYC) and some that contribute to independent certifications (like ASME and the PE), the experience of which might be of value.

Such an organization and process for rigging would be very interesting to participate in. For my part I am not a rigger, only an engineer. I do know what I don't know however. I'd be happy to participate in the administrative part of such an activity. Just a glutton for punishment I guess.

[Brian Duff]

The beginning has to be getting the subjects down - what needs standards - then lets start throwing ideas on how to teach and test for them.

Perhaps this forum right here is flexible enough - Get BobP. to put a sticky posting for this subject (or a sticky for each subtopic) on the top of the forum, and lets get started.

You already got a decent list of subjects

Measuring and Recording
Engineering
Terminating Cordage
Terminating Cable
Tuning Sailboat rigs
Other structures supported by cables
Can get into each manufacture of Winch, Blcok, Clutch and furler- I suppose thats needed because each one is built differently.

On an on...

As we all know , this takes some real thought to produce . What fun Boat Nerds !
Cable

[Chorine]

I am not a rigger, however I have spent many dull hour in building standards committee meetings. Auspicious, has a good point. To create a meaningful standard you need the support of an organization like ABYC. These organizations typically provide the forum for discussion and publish the resulting standard. They also control the process to prevent problems with restraint of trade and other bussiness issues. If there is a percieved need a standards organization will provide a focal point for other profesionals and manufactureers who may want to participate.

Also, Brion thanks for Spartalk. As a weekend sailor I find it very interesting and helpful.

Respectfully
Randall Stevens

[cwa]

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

[benz]

Without trying to discourage people from this idea, let me caution that whenever I have seen a certification program for ANYTHING come along, it invariably turns into a business, meaning only those who can afford to take the courses can get 'certified', and those who can't afford it (and sometimes the course prices get insane, as with the AMGA) find their business drying up, not because they're bad at whatever it is, but because they can't pay to get certified. I know many qualified mountain guides who with thirty years of experience and good record get passed over for work because some kid shows up with a newfangled 'certificate', meaning he took a class, but may have zero experience dealing with real situations.
Having tossed out that wet blanket, I do think a comprehensive reference book of standards agreed on by a panel of expert riggers and engineers would be an invaluable resource for every rigging shop. It wouldn't need to be made readable like the "Rigger's Apprentice"; it could be as boring as "Bowditch" as long as it had the necessary information.
Just a thought....
Ben

[Robbie.g]

i couldn't agree more... I have experienced the 'certification' process first hand, in a similar feild to Ben, this certification is/was not an advancement. But a 'bible' for every rigger would be awesome. definately the future...