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Rigging Handbook
From YouTube’s popular Rigging Doctor channel,
The Rigging Handbook
is an introductory to mid-level book intended for boat owners, sailors, and cruisers who want to better understand how their masts and sails work.
Part I covers the function of rigging on a sailboat and a general overview of common rig designs—with a focus on single-masted sloops and cutters, and two-masted ketches, yawls, and schooners—as well as the slight nuances between them. Chapters then progress to introducing the parts of standing rigging (the parts that hold the mast up) and running rigging (the parts that hold the sails), the function of each piece, and a discussion of the strengths and weaknesses of all rigging materials, including hemp, galvanized steel, stainless steel, titanium and aluminum, and Dyneema (synthetic).
Part II discusses how to evaluate, tune, repair, and replace rigging. Chapters cover in detail what happens when rigging parts fail or reach the end of their serviceable life, including from corrosion, cracks, and UV damage. Learn how to perform a rig survey and what to consider when it comes to the wear and tear that happens with time, distance, and use and abuse. The final chapters discuss the basics of replacing standing and running rigging—including set up and tuning—and the advantages of steel versus synthetic and polyester versus more modern fibers, enabling readers to make an informed decision as to what grade of equipment to use to outfit their boats.
Part I covers the function of rigging on a sailboat and a general overview of common rig designs—with a focus on single-masted sloops and cutters, and two-masted ketches, yawls, and schooners—as well as the slight nuances between them. Chapters then progress to introducing the parts of standing rigging (the parts that hold the mast up) and running rigging (the parts that hold the sails), the function of each piece, and a discussion of the strengths and weaknesses of all rigging materials, including hemp, galvanized steel, stainless steel, titanium and aluminum, and Dyneema (synthetic).
Part II discusses how to evaluate, tune, repair, and replace rigging. Chapters cover in detail what happens when rigging parts fail or reach the end of their serviceable life, including from corrosion, cracks, and UV damage. Learn how to perform a rig survey and what to consider when it comes to the wear and tear that happens with time, distance, and use and abuse. The final chapters discuss the basics of replacing standing and running rigging—including set up and tuning—and the advantages of steel versus synthetic and polyester versus more modern fibers, enabling readers to make an informed decision as to what grade of equipment to use to outfit their boats.
324 pages, Paperback
Published March 3, 2026
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Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I’ve never watched the YouTube channel called @RiggingDoctor, but after reading this well-named book, I’ve become a subscriber. This sailor knows what he’s talking about. It helps that he’s been cruising full-time for 5 years and has covered 38,000 nautical miles.
This book is precisely what you expect: a deep dive into absolutely everything rigging-related.
Author Herb Benavent is a rigging nerd. He starts with the basics (e.g., standing vs. running rigging) and progresses to the advanced, such as the pros and cons of Dynema Cord.
If you want to know more about how to optimize your rigging (on any sailboat), get this book!
This book is precisely what you expect: a deep dive into absolutely everything rigging-related.
Author Herb Benavent is a rigging nerd. He starts with the basics (e.g., standing vs. running rigging) and progresses to the advanced, such as the pros and cons of Dynema Cord.
If you want to know more about how to optimize your rigging (on any sailboat), get this book!
Displaying 1 of 1 review