Building a Glued Lapstrake Tirrik

Page 11: Finishing Details

Figuring out the rigging of the Tirrik

Before we could take her to the Port Townsend Wooden Boat Festival, we had to sort out Tirrik’s rigging. We decided it would be easier to do this on land, rather than trying to balance while in the boat on a trailer. We set up the mast and main sail on land so we could determine the final position of the snotter. Once that was done, we could complete the splicing of the rigging.

Detail of Tirrik's rigging

The standing rigging is 1/8" Amsteel 12-strand hollow braid. It is as strong as stainless steel wire rope and had similar fatigue resistance. The biggest advantages are that it doesn't chafe paint like wire rope does and it is simple to splice. Be warned - don't trust knots in this slippery synthetic, make splices. And lock-stitch them!

The rigging complete