Hangin the Gaff

[Tim Diebert]

I am re-doing all the standing rigging of my boat and remembered something about someone discussing some kind of rope bridle for the gaff halyard attachment point....rather than the eye bolt thing.

Can anyone clue me in on this detail...point me to an image?

Today is National Gaff Day....for me. Any advice would be appreciated.

Timmy T Tone

[Dave R1]

Tim, I copied this drawing from Frank's detail pages and I believe it comes from The Gaff Rig by John Leather. The bridle holds the block that is attached to the gaff. The bridle consistis of a line with eyes spliced in the ends. It is slipped over the gaff and typically (or traditionally) held in place with thumb cleats on the sail-side of the gaff. Does that help?

The bridle helps to spread out the load on the gaff. The eyes should be served or leathered to increase the diameter of the line as it passes round the gaff so that it doesn't try to saw through the gaff. Actually on these boats, that isn't likely to be an issue unless your gaff is made of some very soft wood.

By the way, it would lead to less clutter aloft if you substitute a double block on the mast for the two shown in the drawing.

Also, since I'm being long-winded, on large craft there might be two bridles each with a block and there might even be a double block on the bridle with a triple as a mate on the mast for the peak halyard.

[tdrown]

from Bristol bronze:

GAFF BRIDLE SADDLE

The appropriate and traditional way to attach the peak halyard to the gaff was with a gaff bridle (wire rope or line) and a gaff bridle saddle. The bridle spreads out the load over a greater length and the saddle acts as a self-centering device. Gaff Bridle Saddles are usually supplied made onto appropriate size Blocks.

http://www.bristolbronze.com/hm0084.htm

[Tim Diebert]

Thanks Folks...oustanding replies.

[Johannah]

Tyler, what the heck are you doing messing with the Bristol Bronze catalogue?? :shock: Put that thing down before you sell your other car and start a lifelong addiction to "boat jewelry"! 8)

[Barry Pyeatt]

Hey Johannah,

Go easy on him, he's still young and able to dream. The rest of us "Old Salts" just drool over catalogs like that.

At least he knows there is something besides :roll: computers that is worthwhile.

[tdrown]

I ran acrossed that (the bridle) a few weeks ago on the internet. I just looked today about getting another car, a major restoration project, a 1962 Jaguar Type E. Need a lot of work. And I never did sell that grey Buick, my sister needed the white one and I am stuck driving the other one, so it's a good thing the deal didn't go through otherwise I would be out a car. My father bought the car from me, which was kind and basically compensated what I had spent on the boat. All that brass stuff looks real nice. I remember reading on the Internet about a home made forge.....

[T. Nelson Surbrook]

Tim, when are you going to have that boat ready to sail? It is summer you know.

[Craig]

Look in Fransk site for a photo of the gaff halyard bridle on the jaws. I converted mine to that ant it works much better. I seems to keep the jaws from wanting to jam on the mast when coming down. The photo is in Hand,Reef, and Steer of the Gaf Rig Handbook.

[Tim Diebert]

Tim, when are you going to have that boat ready to sail? It is summer you know.

Well Nelson old chap...it's like this you see.

I bit off more'n I could chew.

I wanted to change EVERYTHING on this damn boat... and to make sure I would...I took the entire thing apart the end of last season...so I could not just say, "the heck with it, let's just sail the thing the way it is". The combination of previous obligations...lots of work and no time are coming back to bite me in the gronicals...as it were.

I have decided to not do a few things and half do some others....but I hope to be sailing within 2 weeks or so.....no maybe four weeks. Who knows.

Are you thinking of making your way up thisaway?

That would be fun.

[Frank Hagan]

The Halyards page of the Gaff Rig Pages is found by Clicking Here

Lots of info there, and I'm getting some pictures from some of the "Old Gaffers" in England to include a bit later.

[Tim Diebert]

Thanks Frank. Just what I was after.

[T. Nelson Surbrook]

As a matter of fact tim I was thinking of heading up north, we will see how it goes and play it by ear.

[Tim Diebert]

As a matter of fact tim I was thinking of heading up north, we will see how it goes and play it by ear.

I will let you know when I am in the water...just in case you do want to come up and sail together.

[T. Nelson Surbrook]

Let's make this happen.

[Bob Taylor]

This arrangement has work very well to keep the gaff from eating the mast.

http://groups.msn.com/SandbarsandDriftwood/vacationer.msnw?action=ShowPhoto&PhotoID=225

I also rigged my main halyard a bit different from the plans. I used a single halyard for the gaff throat with a fiddle block attached at the eye for the peak halyard. There is a short S/S leader from the main halyard eye to the throat of the gaff. This elliminates the need for quite a bit of line for the peak halyard. I haul the main up then follow with the peak and cleat both off at the mast base. Rarely have to adjust either once we get going. I can look for a picture if you'd like.......wait, found one:

http://groups.msn.com/SandbarsandDriftwood/sultanachristening.msnw?action=ShowPhoto&PhotoID=439