Main halyard. Locate the main halyard shackle so that the head of the mainsail will reach the lower edge of the calibration mark. Then proceed as above.

Checking the mast and the standing and running rigging prior to stepping the mast

Genoa halyard and jib halyard. Set the halyard shackle so that the splice or knot is just clear of the masthead sheave. Attach a length of inelastic line to provide resistance. Put a load on the halyard equal to the normal extension with the foresail, and mark the halyard at a suitable place, such as the top edge of the winch plate or where it emerges from the slot fitting or forward of the stopper in the cockpit. • New mast being rigged for the first time Marking the halyards. It is important to mark the halyards to indicate when the sail is fully hoisted. This prevents the splice jamming in the halyard box/head box, damaging the sheave. Jamming will not occur if the halyard shackle is fixed by a knot. All new rope halyards will get a certain permanent elongation after the initial load. Make a temporary mark with a waterproof felt-tip pen. After some time sailing, check the marking and make it permanent using whip- ping twine. Using this mark together with trimming tape (a self-adhesive strip with graduated markings) on the mast or in the cockpit, assists consistent halyard trimming. • • Establish the centre of gravity of the mast by laying the mast on a trestle like a seesaw. Mark the centre of gravity with a piece of tape on the forward side of the mast. You will use this mark later when positioning the lifting strop. Normally 60% of the mast height will do. •
Halyard knot. 14