Marine Rigging Manufacturers and Suppliers

Marine Rigging

Marine rigging is used on commercial and recreational boats for a variety of purposes.

Quick links to Marine Rigging Information

• Applications of Marine Rigging
• Manufacturing Process of Marine Rigging

Applications of Marine Rigging

Cables of various sizes are used to secure masts, hoist sails, tie boats up next to a dock, and hold cargo in place during transport. Most boats are fitted with rigging when they are manufactured, but sometimes the cables are changed if they begin to wear out or if the craft is being used for heavy duty shipping purposes. The cables used for rigging usually have looped ends so they can be bolted or hooked to other attachments on the ship. On sail boats, anyone climbing the mast should strap themselves onto one of the cables on the way up in case a strong wind blows them over while they are climbing.

Manufacturing Process of Marine Rigging

To create marine rigging, manufacturers begin with long strips of high tensile metal that are tightly woven together into strands. Steel is the most commonly used material for this process. Several strands are then spun and pressed tightly together into a helix using a machine. The newly created rigging cable is rolled up onto a spool and shipped out, or it is rolled up onto a pulley to be used with a brand new piece of marine equipment. Cable on a ship that is used as part of the rigging referred to as “cordage.” Cordage in a fixed position is called standing rigging. This is usually found between the mast and the deck to add tension and hold the mast in place. Running rigging is the cordage used to control the movement of the sails. This type of rigging needs to be flexible enough to allow for smooth movement over the pulleys, but it also needs to be strong enough to hold the sails in place during high winds.

More Marine Rigging Information

Marine Rigging Informational Video