High tech rigging solutions

Thanks to the use of innovative, high module fibres such as PBO-Zylon®, aramidic fibres and Dyneema®, textile rigging, nowadays, is one of the projecting areas in the field of yacht designing where you can gain a lot in terms of lightness and performance. Softrig responds to this demand by planning, producing and testing complete, high-tech rigging textile solutions, by conveying into their projects the experience of renowned professionals, maturated in years of application to the sector of rigging and production of highlyperforming lines/hawsers/ ropes, made with high-tech fibres.

A vanguard technology and a company workflow optimised to meet personalised requirements, make Softrig an emerging reality in the fibre rigging sector. Softrig seek continual improvement in their rigging systems, to guarantee products that perform better and better, and are ever more safer. The availability of an internal, testing bed and of all the most advanced technologies is fundamental in allowing for the projecting and development of complete rigging solutions, demanded by both the regatta and cruising yacht project designers, as well as by the best skippers of regatta mono-hulls and multi-hulls.

For a few years now, Softrig have been carrying out tests on very highly performing boats; thanks to the acquisition of the data deriving from such exacting navigation, taking place under all sea meteorological conditions, they can guarantee absolutely reliable rigging solutions.

SOFTRIG’S PRODUCTS: A COMPLETE RANGE

Softrig project and manufacture complete systems of rigging, stays, backstays check-stays and runners and produce directly the cables employed. A special anti-torsion cable has also been set up for prow sails of the Code 0, drifter and gennaker types, that can be used on all the new winding systems. The offer is completed with the availability of a complete set of pin and fastening terminals, whatever the load and the cable diameter, made in stainless steel 316, in special 17-4 PH steel or in 5-degree titanium. Moreover, Softrig can respond promptly to whatever personalisation request concerning rigging, by projecting and making internally customised components for all the fitting

THE MANUFACTURING PRINCIPLES UNDERLYING SOFTRIG CABLES

The continual processing of multi-filament, high module textile fibres, represents the technologically most advanced solution worldwide for the production of textile fibre cables. The manufacturing principle underlying Softrig’s cables -which is called “sling”- is based on the continual winding of the fibre between two fixed points placed at the distance one wishes. This special formation, aptly controlled by sophisticated machinery, allows you to attain the highest elongation modules, and exceptional breakage loads. The internal fibre, which is apt to guarantee the unique performance of the cables, is protected by three layers, each having a different composition and density. The innermost layer isolates the cables, preventing either humidity, water, salt or other external agents from penetrating therein. The second layer protects the fibre from its exposition to ultraviolet rays. The outermost layer is composed of a plaited covering - to be chosen amongst Dyneema®, aramidic fibres and polyester HT (according to what it is going to be used for) -, which protects the cable from whatever mechanical action. During the projecting stages of the textile rigging, the elongation datum of Nitronic 50 is kept as the reference point. Given the stretching features of the PBO fibre, up to 80% reductions in the overall weight of the sailing equipment can be attained, with an approx. 55% increase in the cable load breakage; this leads to a slight increase in cable diameter, but also to an important increase in security factors. For the project designer of a yacht, the important rigging lightness gain implies the possibility of improving the pricking-up moment; as a result, weight on the keel can be reduced -with relative diminution in the boat’s overall displacement-, or the surface of the sails can be extended, thus increasing the power of the yacht. Moreover, given the difference in vertical distance of the centres of gravity of the rigging and of the ballast, the weight reduction ratio is about 1:6, namely, every 10 kg saved on rigging implies a 60 kg saving of on the weight of the ballast; such lightening moreover, brings about a higher concentration of the weights, with a remarkable diminution in both pitching and rolling.

All brand names are registered trademarks of their respective owners. Dyneema® is a registered trademark of Royal DSM N.V.
Vectran® is a registered trademark of CNA Holdings, Inc. Technora® is a registered trademark of Teijin Twaron BV Zylon® is a registered trademark of Toyobo Co.
Specifications subject to change without notice © Copyright Softrig 2007. All rights reserved.