Abstract: Magnet-assisted automatic locking mechanisms for use on a sailboat are disclosed herein. One such mechanism includes: a housing having an internal space and configured to receive a slug that moves along a path through the housing, the slug being operably connected to the halyard, the housing including a first housing side and a second housing side coupled to one another; first and second flippers rotatably disposed in the housing, the first and second flippers configured to rotate between at least a cocked position in which the slug is inserted into the housing, a locked position in which a surface of the first and second flippers receive the slug and impede the slug from exiting the housing along the path, wherein the halyard is tensioned in the locked position, and a neutral position in which the first and second flippers allow movement of the slug; and a magnet assembly configured to effect rotation of the first and second flippers.

Abstract: Magnet-assisted automatic locking mechanisms for use on a sailboat are disclosed herein. One such mechanism includes: a housing having an internal space and configured to receive a slug that moves along a path through the housing, the slug being operably connected to the halyard, the housing including a first housing side and a second housing side coupled to one another; first and second flippers rotatably disposed in the housing, the first and second flippers configured to rotate between at least a cocked position in which the slug is inserted into the housing, a locked position in which a surface of the first and second flippers receive the slug and impede the slug from exiting the housing along the path, wherein the halyard is tensioned in the locked position, and a neutral position in which the first and second flippers allow movement of the slug; and a magnet assembly configured to effect rotation of the first and second flippers.

Abstract: Composite rigging, rigging terminals, methods of forming composite rigging, and methods of assembling the rigging terminals in a rigging system of a sailboat incorporate a sling of composite fibers having an equivalent cross-sectional profile and stretch resistance, but greater strength and less weight as compared to steel rigging. The rigging terminal includes a terminal fitting having a first opening, a second opening, and an interior space, and a terminal insert disposed inside the interior space. The terminal insert is formed with a first end disposed toward the first opening of the fitting, first and second posts disposed on the first end, and a second end having a shape tapered and disposed toward the second opening of the fitting. One or more composite fibers can be wound around the first end of the insert and held in a space between wall of the terminal fitting interior space and the terminal insert.

Abstract: A sailboat halyard lock includes a latch that interacts with a stop to maintain tension on a halyard, and a spring-loaded trigger that contacts the latch. The stop can be a ball that moves along a path through the halyard lock, or alternatively, a wall of a sail track. The latch rotates to engage the stop in the locked position, and is released to return to a neutral position. A spring-loaded trigger contacts the latch so as to position the latch to receive the ball or wall in the locked position. In this way, the halyard can be maintained under tension in the halyard lock, and the tension is adjustable over time.

Abstract: A sailboat halyard lock includes a latch that interacts with a stop to maintain tension on a halyard, and a spring-loaded trigger that contacts the latch. The stop can be a ball that moves along a path through the halyard lock, or alternatively, a wall of a sail track. The latch rotates to engage the stop in the locked position, and is released to return to a neutral position. A spring-loaded trigger contacts the latch so as to position the latch to receive the ball or wall in the locked position. In this way, the halyard can be maintained under tension in the halyard lock, and the tension is adjustable over time.

Abstract: Composite rigging, rigging terminals, methods of forming composite rigging, and methods of assembling the rigging terminals in a rigging system of a sailboat incorporate a sling of composite fibers having an equivalent cross-sectional profile and stretch resistance, but greater strength and less weight as compared to steel rigging. The rigging terminal includes a terminal fitting having a first opening, a second opening, and an interior space, and a terminal insert disposed inside the interior space. The terminal insert is formed with a first end disposed toward the first opening of the fitting, first and second posts disposed on the first end, and a second end having a shape tapered and disposed toward the second opening of the fitting. One or more composite fibers can be wound around the first end of the insert and held in a space between wall of the terminal fitting interior space and the terminal insert.

Abstract: A boom for a sailing vessel has a forked forward portion hinged to the mast at spaced locations to permit rotation or swinging of the boom only in a horizontal plane.

Abstract: A connection assembly for marine rigging in the form of ropes and rods employs a relatively thick rigid internal tang that is mounted in an opening in a mast or other tubular member. A keyhole is formed in the tang in the opening which is arranged to receive a key affixed to the end of the rigging. A pocket extends into the tang from the side thereof inside the mast, at a point that is spaced vertically from the keyhole. This pocket receives the rigging key after it is seated in the keyhole so that when the rigging is in its normal orientation with respect to the mast, its key is securely locked in the keyhole.

Abstract: A mast shroud system includes a spreader-tang assembly composed of a rigid bracket extending entirely through the mast which functions as both a spreader root spigot and a tang for securing the terminated upper ends of shrouds to the mast. The shroud terminals are seated in pockets formed in the bracket and tubular spreaders are telescopically engaged over opposite ends of the bracket so that the spreaders lock the terminals in their respective pockets and conceal them while at the same time locking the bracket to the mast.

Abstract: A goose-neck fitting used to form a universal joint between a boat mast and a hollow thin-walled boom or spinnaker pole comprises a tubular socket received into the end of the pole adjacent the mast. The sleeve is suspended in the pole parallel to the pole axis by footings which, with the sleeve, form an H-like truss that extends between the opposite walls of the pole for an appreciable distance inward from the pole end. When in use the sleeve receives a male connector member swivelly mounted on the mast, the goose-neck connection opposes shear forces acting on the pole so as to maintain the pole in the proper orientation with respect to the mast and enable the pole end to withstand the substantial shear forces acting upon it at the point of its connection to the mast.