Running Rigging
The running rigging on a Cherub should be kept as simple for reliability and weight purposes but with mainsail, jib and spinnaker the bits and pieces add up before you even get to adding a T-foil rudder
Ideas for how to setup the various systems involved are laid out in a series of pages dealing with one particular system at a time.
Reliability
Getting your systems reliable is something that will really make a difference, as the old saying goes “To finish first, first you have to finish” most of the things that need to be done are just common sense but it is surprising how easy it is to forget when you are in a hurry to get on the water. Fittings all need to be solidly attached to the boat and regularly checked to ensure they are not working loose. Using Bolts with Nylocs is a good idea as they are much less likely to vibrate free when travelling. Sharp edges will chafe through ropes, sometimes in as little as a day for heavily loaded lines but they can sometimes last several months, till the first time you are at the front of the fleet. It does not take much of an edge to chafe a rope if it has a high load, pressed steel shackles, deck eyes and many blocks have edges that will cut through string, thimbles and forged shackles can be used to prevent this.
Unnecessary Gear.
Adjustable standing rigging has never been used much in Cherubs. Its heavy, expensive, and complicated. Just getting the simple stuff to work right is enough of a bother. Kevlar ropes are best avoided they have a tendency to break with little or no warning just throw it out it is not worth the bother.
Most of all, remember that the boat is weighed dry. Take all those ropes, weigh them, soak them in water and weigh them again. The difference will amaze you!
Don’t spend too much time worrying about gear. Instead go sailing! Provided all the gear works and is reliable then it is probably good enough. Being able to change the sail shape in the middle of the race is unlikely to make much difference to your final position, but capsizing at every gybe mark certainly will. There is absolutely nothing that improves boat speed as much as crew speed!
Finally
- Keep It Simple Stupid
