Help me figure out my boats existing rigging please?!

[btm0905]

I would like some help from the gurus out there as I am a novice and working on my first large boat. I have dropped my mast to investigate the running rigging and I am worried and a bit confused about what I found on my 76' O'Day 25, which I am currently working on and have never sailed. This boat is rigged with a roller furler for a genoa, spinnaker, with all lines running to the bottom of the mast. I wasn't able to get any answers from the foundation where I purchased the boat so everything is 'learn-as-i-go' while refurbishing the boat. Here is the link to the pictures:

http://s1053.photobucket.com/albums/s473/btm0905/Rigging/

What you see are three lines at the base of the mast (hopefully...if you understand my tags). I assume these are the Main, Jib, Spinnaker Halyards, and that someone already switched from steel at some point. 'line 1' measures ~66'. 'line 2' measures ~62'-6". 'line 3 measures ~66'-8". The other run through the top of the mast and back down and hang free. They are all in rough shape and need replacing.

Question: Should I stick with the original line lengths when I replace them or use the lengths I found online (70' for the spinnaker and jib/genoa, 55' for main from O'day owners store)(71' spinnaker, 63'4" jib, 64' main from forum poster) and do these lengths sound correct?

Question: Do I need a jib downhaul with the roller furler?

Question: Can anyone tell what the white stopper is on line 3? Is this necessary to replace?

Question: Do the new lines need to have eye splices? or can I get away with knots and save some cash?

Question: The picture with the yellow arrow is pointing to a steel line that runs from the top of the mast down and has an eye with about 5' of line running from in. the picture with 'line 5' shows the other end where the eye ends. It is not the backstay...what is this?

 

[cb32863]

I hope I can answer a couple of your questions, unfortunately not all as I am new to the 25 with my 1977. I found this information somewhere on this site but here ya go on line lengths;

[FONT=&quot]Running Rigging Specs.[/FONT][FONT=&quot][/FONT]​

[FONT=&quot]All Lengths and specifications are approximate and are subject to change without notice[/FONT][FONT=&quot][/FONT]​

[FONT=&quot]

Main Halyard (rope) 5/16” x 59’ (K/CB)
5/16” x 64’ (Keel)

Jib Halyard (rope) 5/16” x 60’4” (K/CB)
5/16” x 63’4” (Keel)

Mainsheet 3/8” x 40’

Jib Sheet 3/8” x 48’ (24’ x 2)

Mainsail Outhaul ¼” x 9’

Boom Downhaul ¼” x 4’

Topping Lift (rope) ¼” x 31’ (K/CB)
¼” x 33’ (Keel)

Centerboard Pendant (need to find this)[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot] [/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]Rigging specs for optional sails[/FONT][FONT=&quot][/FONT]​

[FONT=&quot]
Spinnaker Halyard 5/16” x 67’ (K/CB)
5/16” x 71’ (Keel)

Spinnaker Pole Lift 5/16” x 43’ (K/CB)
5/16” x 45’ (Keel)

Spinnaker Pole Downhaul 5/16” 30’ (K/CB)
5.16’ x 31’ (Keel)

Spinnaker Sheets 5/16” x 48’ (2)

Genoa Sheets 3/8” x 60’ (30’ x 2)[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]All [/FONT][FONT=&quot]running rigging is typically double-braid Dacron (Polyester) rope[/FONT][FONT=&quot][/FONT]​

As for a downhaul on the jib for a roller furler, I would think not.

Its hard to tell which are your main halyard, sp-halyard, jib halyard from your pics. Maybe the line lengths and sizes above can help with that. Hopefully some other folks with more intimate knowledge can help you out. I know it's not much, but it's all I got.....

 

[btm0905]

CB,
Thanks for the input! I have searched the web and found tons of varying info on the line lengths. I am hoping someone will recognize the shackles and where the lines are running on the top of the mast and be able to determine which is which. When I go to re-rig the new lines I want to be sure I know what everything is and where it all goes. I also don't want to add anything that is unnecessary (ie: jib halyard) I have searched for rigging diagrams and picture to no luck...have you been able to come across any?

 

[Indysailor]

A little confusion- in picture 5/6 I see a twist shackle attached to what seems to be the top car of the furler, but I don't see that in any other picture. Which line is that? What kind of furler is that- are there any labels at all? Post a pic of the drum at the base and someone will recognize it and help with rigging it. There are differences, depending on the make.

I see lines 1,2,3 in picture 2/6 at the mast head, which look to me like jib & main halyards (lines 1 & 3). I guess line 2 could be a spinnaker halyard, but I don't have one, so someone else will have to help with that.

You mention a jib downhaul. You may not need one per se, but with some furlers and headsails there is a need for a pendent that provides the proper height of the headsail. On mine, I have a shackle at the stem head, then about nine inches of line, and another shackle that attaches to the tack of the sail.

Where is line 5 coming from in picture 1/6? Is it the same as the small cable attached to the mast head (behind line 3) in picture 2/6? If so, umm...topping lift?

Line length depends on whether you are running the lines to the cockpit or not. Rudy at D&R Marine can sell you whatever you need at the correct lengths for either application. A phone call to him is worth it.

NOTE: Not sure why the editor is inserting these annoying hyperlinks. Ignore them.

 

[geehaw]

Well if you use this site for length you will come out ok. At least I have so far. The steel cable from the top (one with yellow arrow) is your topping lift. 2B looks like spinnaker halyard. 1B and 3B look like one for raising the jib,shackle on fore side of mast, and the other going to the main, should have a shackle on the end on the aft side of mast. 5F topping lift. The rest I can't really tell.

I don't think you can go wrong with original lengths. I would go with what ever is the longer between recommended and your original lengths. Eye splices preferred but knots work. Some good vids on You Tube to make your own. I believe the New England rope one is the best. Your shackles all look good and they are not cheap so reuse what you can.

I don't have a roller furler so can't help ya there. Do you even need a jib halyard with one? Definitely don't need a down haul. If you have a pully on the front of the mast near the spreaders this is to carry the outboard end of a spinnaker pole.

I went through the same thing 2 years ago with my 1976 Oday 25. Once you get the mast up things begin to make more sense.

 

[Shoaldrafter]

Back in town and just getting back on internet

It was said, "don't have a roller furler so can't help ya there. Do you even need a jib halyard with one?" Some do, some do not, it all depends...

Ed K

But if you are in Wilmington, North Carolina, you need one of these:

 

[btm0905]

Great Help!!!

Thanks for all the help guys! I know some of my questions were stupid but I was having a lot of trouble figuring this out on my own. The twist shackle is the end of the Roller Furler Halyard. The Furler is a CDI FF4 and seems to be in good shape. I decided to go with a 66' Halyard for the Mainsail and 80' Halyard for the spinnaker. I haven't stepped the mast yet but 66' seems proper for the main....can't tell with the spinnaker yet. I won't replace the jib halyard as it is not necessary to have one on the mast with the FF4...

Glad to have this all sorted out now....one last question about the knot used to secure the halyard to the shackles....Can I get away with a bowline like on my Hobie 16 or is there a better knot?

 

[geehaw]

I would go with a buntline knot