So what does rod rigging have to do with running rigging?

Actually Jax, as long as the shrouds are tensioned correctly, the
difference in shock loading between wire and rod is minimal.
Load up the wire to 10-15% working load and you eliminate
most of the "settling" of the wire, and the spring constants
or shock response of the two run pretty close to the same.

"JAXAshby" wrote in message
...
actually, not true brian w. rod rigging, for instance, puts major shock
loads
on a boat. One of the reasons it is seldom used on non-racing boats,
except
those non-racing boat pretending to be racing boats.

From: Brian Whatcott
Date: 1/30/2005 7:18 P.M. Eastern Standard Time
Message-id:

On Sun, 30 Jan 2005 09:54:13 -0800, "Robert or Karen Swarts"
wrote:

I know conventional wisdom decrees that running rigging use polyester
cordage and anchor line use nylon. The nylon is said to stretch more, and
thus take up shock loads more readily. Polyester, on the other hand,
stretches less and is said to make setting the sails easier. I can
understand this for racing purposes, but wouldn't the same tolerance to
shock load be a blessing in a cruising boat where resilience of the rig
is
of ultimate importance?

Bob Swarts


No. The shock loading is so low as to be immaterial.

Brian W