Book excerpt: Understanding Rigs and Rigging by Richard "Jud" Henderson provides you with a detailed look at a subject that is too important to gloss over. Beginning with a review of the history of sailboat rigs, Henderson moves quickly to modern fore-and-aft rigs, taking time for a sampling of the more exotic rig configurations that may be seen sailing today, such as the luna, modern Chinese lug rigs, cat ketches, and wing sails. There is a thorough look at masts and other spars, with a very complete discussion of wood, aluminum, carbon-fiber, and other materials as they are used in spar construction. You will find out how best to utilize your rig in a manner compatible with your sailing interests. There are chapters on standing and running rigging, with a detailed look at their components; discussions of rigging constructions such as wire and rod, and the most effective terminal fittings for each; and information on turnbuckles, chainplates, tangs, and backstay adjustors. Henderson gives you a comparison of halyards (should yours be all rope, or wire and rope?); a look at winches, cleats, blocks, and levers; and a most helpful section on deck layout. You will also read about sail trim and basic aerodynamics, and learn how to set up and tune your rig to optimize rake, shroud tension, lateral bend, mast flexing, and stay tension. The final chapter looks at improvements, modifications, and offshore rig considerations, including such elements as changing mast length and converting a sloop to a yawl or cutter, or vice versa. Throughout the book, Jud Henderson draws on his experience to focus on safety issues. For the newcomer and the experienced sailor alike, there is no excuse for putting a poorly selected rig in any boat that may venture offshore. Understanding Rigs and Rigging will provide you with the information you need to rig your boat properly. "This is an exceptionally detailed look at everything above the deck on a sailboat. Henderson is an experienced author and sailor, and he has organized a tremendous amount of information in one volume."--Yachting"Details specific enough to guide sailboat owners in assessments of their own rigs are the strength of this survey. After reading this book's recommendations on points as various as how to keep a mast heel dry and how to check for correct bend in shroud tangs, many readers will make some changes."--Soundings