The Tornado needs all rigging. Are the kits worth it or is it much cheaper to buy a few spools and cut /melt ends on my own?
Running rigging?
I think you're generally better off (cost wise) if you can figure out the required lengths and just buy the specific line you need (or a spool) rather than buying a kit. That is unless you need some fancy splices put in. Better to have a little extra line around anyway as it always tends to be used for something.
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Steve M.
however you end up with a lot of the same line everywhere.
it makes it MUCH harder to pull the main traveler sheet if it's in a pile of identical main sheet and jib sheet - and you only NEED a sheet when it's honking out and you need to uncleat or depower
also makes communicating to crew to pull the "down-haul" (or other), esp if they aren't 100% sure which is a down-haul, nor you,out-h, nor your barber-h, 4 way jib adjuster, or cenerboard up line, or centerboard down line, etc when they are all the same color / size line
You may be able to call some shops like Murrys or SaltyDog and they may have the lenght data onhand (or kits posted online) and will custom cut you an order at regular rates....
OR you can easily take a few lines out and rig your "x" and write down the length needed and compile a list yourself
or is it much cheaper to buy a few spools and cut /melt ends on my own?
Probably is cheaper if you have the need for a lot of line. This is a good time to contact sail lofts and others .. they may want to get rid of some last years line, or desperate for cash this time of year.
Let me know if you are truly interested, i have a few leads on spools
Edited by MN3 on Feb 17, 2016 - 12:37 PM.
MN3
Good point about the different line colors. You definitely want some variation so it isn't all spaghetti.
Still, I think that sailors often tend to have such personal preferences that going with an "off the shelf" type kit, you're likely to end up with lengths, diameters, or types of line that may not really be what you want. Especially with a Tornado - there are so many different rigging configurations and customizations, I would be suspicious of anyone trying to sell a "standard" rigging kit.
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Steve M.
Going with multiple colors sounds like a smart choice. Thanks guys.
Think about splicing a jib sheet that is half solid green and half solid red.
Put green end on starboard side to remind crew which tack you are on in the upcoming crossing that he is supposed to always be watching for.
STARBOARD!!!
Just sayin".
Edited by klozhald on Feb 23, 2016 - 03:34 PM.
On my Hobie 18 everything for the crew is Red, red trap ring, red sheet. For the skipper everything is black, trap ring, main etc. Both my boats have continuous main and traveler sheet, I just grab it at the traveler and slide out to let the traveler out so in my opinion having colors is good having too much is too much. Getting the Jib sheet confused with the down haul is not going to happen. JMHO, Richard.