Rigging euphroes and a double crow's foot - a process to reduce slack line frustrations
In this example, two crow's feet attached to the bowsprit share the same top lead line through a single block, which is in turn at the end of a stay line. First, take a look at the final result so you know what you are aiming for.
The double crow's foot was rigged as follows. The euphroes were lashed to each end of a segment of line, which also passed through a 5mm block. A long length of 0.30mm line was attached to the block, and the other end of it was clamped temporarily to the top of the fore topmast. The length of this line was adjust to place the block and two euphroes at the proper distance from the bowsprit. To make sure that the lines are all equally taut in a Dutch style crow's foot stay, you start work at the bowsprit and work toward the large 7mm block at the end of the stay line. Several short segments of 0.30mm black line were cut for the lines that pass through the euphroes. You start with the line centermost relative to each euphroe, which is the line that passes through the last hole in the euphroe at its bottom end. For each line, you tie the forward end to the bowsprit with a slip knot so it stays tight on the bowsprit. Add a tad of glue to this knot. Then you pass it through the euphroe rearward and secure it to the bowsprit with an overhand bend followed by a half hitch. When the forward most euphroe line is secure by one line, run a similar line through the end of the second euphroe at the rear. Adjust the length of this line so that both euphroes are equidistant from the 5mm block above. The lanyard off the 5mm block must have enough tension to allow you to see the angles of the lines and the placement of the euphroes.
Now rig the lines for through the next hole up in each euphroe. Take care to tension each euphroe line so that the previous line does not go slack from over-tightening the next line. all three lines in each euphroe must have equal tension. This is critical if the end result is to look good. It takes several tiny adjustments making the second knot in each euphroe line and the position of the loops around the bowsprit to get everything even, so don't cinch the knots tight or apply glue until you are sure the tension is right.
When the euphroe lines are done, unclamp the 0.3mm line from the mast, and pass it through the center of a 7mm single block. You can now choose the position of the 7mm block, and lash the end of the 0.5mm stay line to the block. The take the end of the 0.30mm line and pass it through the 5mm block that was lashed to the bowsprit just behind the spritsail topmast top. run the line rearward along the bowsprit and tie it to the cleat on the side of the bowsprit over the bow deck.
The scratch made euphroe. It is as slender as you can possibly make it.
The center loop of the forward crow's foot is started. Make pencil evenly spaced marks on the bowsprit where all the loops will be tied.
The stop of the stay is tied temporarily at the mast head high above. The excess line is left dangling
The centermost loop of BOTH crow's feet are made first. Here, additional loops on the forward crow's foot are complete, and no we are moving to the rest of the loops on the aft crow's foot. Note the first of these loops is already hanging loose from the bowsprit and about to be passed through the euphroe. Note how even the loops are spaced on the bowsprit.
All knots are adjusted before glue is added to the knots, then trim off the excess line ends. Now add PVA glue to the loops on the bowsprit to anchor them in place so they don't slip.
SUCCESS.
Lastly, disconnect the top end of the stay from the masthead, and tie it with a proper loop and mouse to the masthead below the top.
Take the other end of the stay, and tie it to the large 7mm block. Set the tension by tying the end of the fall, the one that is attached to the 5mm block at one end, and run it to the bowsprit and tie it off.
SUCCESS!
In this example, two crow's feet attached to the bowsprit share the same top lead line through a single block, which is in turn at the end of a stay line. First, take a look at the final result so you know what you are aiming for.
The double crow's foot was rigged as follows. The euphroes were lashed to each end of a segment of line, which also passed through a 5mm block. A long length of 0.30mm line was attached to the block, and the other end of it was clamped temporarily to the top of the fore topmast. The length of this line was adjust to place the block and two euphroes at the proper distance from the bowsprit. To make sure that the lines are all equally taut in a Dutch style crow's foot stay, you start work at the bowsprit and work toward the large 7mm block at the end of the stay line. Several short segments of 0.30mm black line were cut for the lines that pass through the euphroes. You start with the line centermost relative to each euphroe, which is the line that passes through the last hole in the euphroe at its bottom end. For each line, you tie the forward end to the bowsprit with a slip knot so it stays tight on the bowsprit. Add a tad of glue to this knot. Then you pass it through the euphroe rearward and secure it to the bowsprit with an overhand bend followed by a half hitch. When the forward most euphroe line is secure by one line, run a similar line through the end of the second euphroe at the rear. Adjust the length of this line so that both euphroes are equidistant from the 5mm block above. The lanyard off the 5mm block must have enough tension to allow you to see the angles of the lines and the placement of the euphroes.
Now rig the lines for through the next hole up in each euphroe. Take care to tension each euphroe line so that the previous line does not go slack from over-tightening the next line. all three lines in each euphroe must have equal tension. This is critical if the end result is to look good. It takes several tiny adjustments making the second knot in each euphroe line and the position of the loops around the bowsprit to get everything even, so don't cinch the knots tight or apply glue until you are sure the tension is right.
When the euphroe lines are done, unclamp the 0.3mm line from the mast, and pass it through the center of a 7mm single block. You can now choose the position of the 7mm block, and lash the end of the 0.5mm stay line to the block. The take the end of the 0.30mm line and pass it through the 5mm block that was lashed to the bowsprit just behind the spritsail topmast top. run the line rearward along the bowsprit and tie it to the cleat on the side of the bowsprit over the bow deck.
The scratch made euphroe. It is as slender as you can possibly make it.
The center loop of the forward crow's foot is started. Make pencil evenly spaced marks on the bowsprit where all the loops will be tied.
The stop of the stay is tied temporarily at the mast head high above. The excess line is left dangling
The centermost loop of BOTH crow's feet are made first. Here, additional loops on the forward crow's foot are complete, and no we are moving to the rest of the loops on the aft crow's foot. Note the first of these loops is already hanging loose from the bowsprit and about to be passed through the euphroe. Note how even the loops are spaced on the bowsprit.
All knots are adjusted before glue is added to the knots, then trim off the excess line ends. Now add PVA glue to the loops on the bowsprit to anchor them in place so they don't slip.
SUCCESS.
Lastly, disconnect the top end of the stay from the masthead, and tie it with a proper loop and mouse to the masthead below the top.
Take the other end of the stay, and tie it to the large 7mm block. Set the tension by tying the end of the fall, the one that is attached to the 5mm block at one end, and run it to the bowsprit and tie it off.
SUCCESS!
