What rigging should a beginner learn to inspect and adjust on a sailboat?

Learn to inspect the standing rigging that supports the mast, then practise adjusting the running rigging that controls the sails. Start with pins, wire terminals, chainplates and damaged ropes: a missing retainer or cracked fitting matters more than perfect sail trim.

Inspect the mast supports

Standing rigging comprises the forestay, backstay where fitted, and shrouds down each side of the mast. Cap shrouds support the upper mast through the spreaders; lower shrouds support its lower section. Some rigs also have intermediate shrouds.

Before sailing, walk around the deck and follow each wire to its attachment:

• Clevis pins and retainers: check that every pin is fully seated and secured by the correct split pin or retaining ring. Tape protects sails from sharp ends; it does not replace a retainer.
• Wire and terminals: look for broken strands, kinks, cracks, rust streaks and wire pulling out of a swaged terminal. Check closely just above the lower terminals.
• Bottlescrews: check for bent bodies, damaged threads and missing locking arrangements. Both threaded ends need adequate engagement, as specified by the fitting manufacturer.
• Chainplates: inspect the metal deck attachments and their supporting structure below decks for movement, cracks, leaks, corrosion and damaged bulkheads.

If you find broken wire, a cracked terminal or movement at a chainplate, leave the sails down until a rigger has assessed the fault. A clean appearance alone tells you neither the age nor the remaining life of stainless steel rigging.

Check mast alignment

With the boat afloat in calm conditions, check that the mast is centred sideways. Bring the main halyard to matching fixed points on the port and starboard sides. Keep its tension consistent and make sure it runs freely; investigate unequal measurements.

Next, sight up the sail track from the mast foot. Look for sideways bends or an S-shape. Inspect accessible spreader roots and tips for loose fittings, corrosion or displaced shrouds.

Straight sideways does not mean straight fore and aft. Many modern cruising rigs require a slight forward bend around the middle of the mast, commonly about half to one mast-section width, plus some aft rake. Other rigs need different settings. Check the boatbuilder's or mast manufacturer's instructions before changing either bend or rake.

Never loosen standing rigging or send someone aloft without an appropriate mast-support and climbing arrangement.