Measuring

Measuring Lines and Rigging

When you are considering replacing your rigging or any of the lines on your boat, getting the correct length is critical.

Standing Rigging

The easiest method is to remove, label and send or bring your rigging to us. If that is not possible, we will provide you with "Standing Rigging Order Form". In general, you should tighten you rigging to your proper tune. Tape the threads on either side of the turnbuckle body. Now you can loosen your rigging and remove it from your boat. Once the rigging is down, tighten the turnbuckle back to the original position indicated by the tape. Measure from the center of the clevis pin at the lower end of the stay to the center of the clevis pin at the upper end of the stay. This is called the pin-to-pin measurement. When we make the rigging. we will use this measurement with the turnbuckle 2/3 open. Make sure you measure the diameter of the rod or the wire. When measuring rod, we suggest a micrometer or a rod gauge. When you measure wire measure across the largest diameter on the outside of the strands. Do not measure in the crevice between the individual wires. Lastly, specify the type of end fittings and the pin side. For example: an eye with a ½" clevis pin hole or a toggling fork with a 3/8" clevis pin hole, or a stud with 5/16" thread left hand. There are many types of end fittings and rigging configurations, take the time to do the planning up front in order to get it right the first time.

Lifelines

The easiest method is to remove, label and send or bring your lifelines to us. If that is not possible, we will provide you with a "Lifeline Order Form". In general, you should tighten your lifelines to the proper tension. Tape the threads on either side of the turnbuckle body. Measure from the bow rail clevis pin bearing surface to the aft edge of the stanchion where the forward end of the gate is located. Measure from the stern rail clevis pin bearing surface to the forward edge of the stanchion where the gate is located. Measure the gate from bearing surface to bearing surface. You will need to identify the type of end fittings you would like. If you would like to use your current pelican hooks, you should send them to us along with your lifelines as described above. Be aware that lifelines have many different designs and end fittings. The very best way for us to get your lifelines right is for you to send them to us. We will ship the old and the new back to you.

Halyards

If your halyard winch is mounted on your mast, our general procedure is to make the finished halyard twice the length of the mast from deck to masthead plus 10 feet. If your halyard winch is mounted on the cabin top and the halyard runs back to the cockpit, the finished halyard length is twice the length of the mast from deck to masthead, plus 10 feet, plus the distance from the mast base to the cockpit. Allow for halyard organizers and turning blocks. Remember each boat is different, for example, this guideline may not apply to your jib halyard if you have a fractionally rigged boat. If you are satisfied with your existing halyard length, provide us with that length; include the shackle in the measurement. We recommend making the halyard about 5' longer than needed. In the future if there is a chaffing issue near the shackle, there would be enough length to cut off the chaffed area and splice the shackle into the other end of the halyard. In order to make the correct size halyard for your boat, we also need to know the diameter of the existing halyard. You can provide that measurement or you can send us your existing halyard. We can also make a recommendation. If needed, we can provide a "Halyard Measurement Order Form".

Jib Sheets

In general, 1.5 times the length of the boat is sufficient. If your sheets run through aft foot blocks and then forward to the winch, your sheets may need to be longer. If your existing sheets are the correct diameter and length, we can duplicate them.

Spinnaker Sheets and Guys

We make the sheets and guys twice the length of the boat. If your current sheets and guys are the correct length, we can use that measurement. For our cruising customers, we build the sheets and guys for medium air. For our racing customers, we select higher tech fibers for strength and low weight. Often we make an extra set for light air. For the weight conscious racer, we frequently use titanium shackles.

Anchorlines, Docklines and Mooring Pendants

In general, lengths for bow and stern docklines are 2/3 the length of the boat. The spring lines are usually equal to the boat length. The Size Selection Table below provides a guideline for selecting the correct diameter line. We use only the finest dock and anchorline rope manufactured by New England Ropes and Yale Cordage. The chain recommendations are for proof coil chain. Should you have a windlass, you will need high tensile or BBB chain. The manufacturer specifies the anchorline and chain recommendations for your gypsy. If you do not know these recommendations, we will contact the manufacturer, prior to making your anchorline.

Size Selection Table: