Rigging and splicing in depth
Standing and running rigging, eye splices and wire termination that must hold at sea
Introduction
A sailing boat's rigging is the system of masts wires and lines that holds the sail up and makes it possible to steer and trim it. The rigging is traditionally divided into two: standing rigging which holds the mast firmly in place and running rigging which you continuously adjust while sailing. Understanding the difference — and being able to perform a proper splice — is at the core of both boat builder and sailmaker trades and many places have specialized rigging companies that work exclusively with rigging and splicing.
Standing rigging — what keeps the mast up
Standing rigging consists of shrouds and stays, typically in wire, that hold the mast stable in all directions. Classical standing rigging is made of 1x19 wire — one core braided from 19 threads — which provides high strength and low stretch. On racing boats, rod rigging in solid rods is also seen, which stretch even less. What is common is that the rigging must withstand constant load, sun, salt and weather changes year after year without failing.
Running rigging — what controls the sail
Running rigging covers halyards, sheets and other lines that are continuously adjusted to hoist, trim and control the sails. There is much more to be gained by choosing the right material: modern high-strength fibres like Dyneema are known for very high strength relative to their low weight, which makes them popular for halyards, sheets and safety lines, where both strength and low weight matter.
Splicing – the strong joint
A splice creates a permanent join by weaving the rope or wire's own fibers into itself instead of tying a knot. This makes a big difference in strength: a knot presses the rope through sharp bends that concentrate the load and can therefore significantly reduce the rope's breaking strength while a splice distributes the force smoothly and preserves much more of the material's original strength. Therefore splicing remains the standard where a join must last for many years under load.
Common splicing types
| Type | Usually used for |
|---|---|
| Eye splice in 3-strand rope | Mooring and simple fixed eyes |
| Endless splice (endless splice) | Braided line and modern materials like Dyneema |
| Pressed/welded wire terminals | Standing rigging in wire |
| Talurit clamp | Temporary repair or solution of a wire eye |
Knot versus splicing
Although splicing is generally stronger knots still have their place — they are quick to tie easy to undo again and suitable for temporary work. But where something should stay in place year after year under full load such as a fixed eye in a fall or a sheet splicing is the natural choice. Being able to assess when each of the two belongs is part of the experience the trade builds on.
“The rigging is invisible until it fails — and therefore deserves the attention it rarely gets while everything is going well.”