The Rig Annotated Bibliography

Assembly Articles

  • “Assembling the Rig.” usvmyg.org. June 2026.
    • An introduction to the series of articles on rig assembly. It includes a checklist of parts and assemblies you will need to tackle each section.
  • “Assembling a Jib and Main Boom.” usvmyg.org. June 2026.
    • The step-by-step process for shaping and installing fittings on your main and jib booms to prepare for final assembly of the rig.
  • “Assembling the Mast.” usvmyg.org. June 2026.
    • The step-by-step process for sizing and shaping your mast and installing the mast fittings including the optional Jenny stay strut.
  • “Finishing Touches” usvmyg.org. July 2026.
    • Add battens, class insignia, sail numbers, and telltales to your rig.
  • “Installing the Rig.” usvmyg.org. July 2026.
    • This article describes how to mount the rig on the hull so that it is straight.
  • “Mast Assembly Drawing.” usvmyg.org. June 2026.
    • A complete reference drawing of mast assembly including positions of all of the hardware and fittings.
  • Stoudt, John. “Bench Tuning Your Boat.” The Model Yacht. 24:1. Winter/Spring 2023. pp7-8.
  • “The Rig Final Assembly.” usvmyg.org. June 2026.
    • The step-by-step process for bringing together the assembled mast and booms from earlier articles and bending on the sails.

Deck Fittings Articles

  • “Introduction to Deck Fittings.” usvmyg.org. June 2026.
    • We spend so much discussing the positions of deck fittings in the beginner’s series because of the critical relationship between the rig and the deck fitting locations. This relationship is very important to its success of a model yacht on the water. The ideal placement of these fittings is critical.
  • Henderson, John. “Planning and Building Scale Models that Sail. Part 2: Design Calculations.” The Model Yacht. 20:1. Spring 2019.
    • In part 2 of the series, we undertake some more detailed and a bit more extensive calculations to try to get the boat right as built, requiring minimum modifications and fixes after the fact.
  • Henderson, John. “Helm Balance, with simple calculations of Center of Effort and Center of Lateral Resistance.” The Model Yacht. 24:1. Winter/Spring 2023.
    • Helm balance depends on the proper positioning of the mast on a sloop. This article includes calculations for Center of Effort and Center of Lateral Resistance so you can get it right the first time.
  • “Placing Your Deck Fittings.” usvmyg.org. May 2026.
    • Details on figuring the exact locations of your mast, shroud plates, jib rack, deck fairleads, and backstay bracket.
  • “Planning Your Deck Fittings.” usvmyg.org. May 2026.
    • Scenarios and situations you might find yourself in when you try to figure out how to arrange your deck fittings. This includes some real boat examples.
  • “Verifying your Mast Location: An Exercise.” usvmyg.org, June 2026.
    • This article describes how to determine the mast location on a model yacht by using the relationship between the center of effort and the center of lateral resistance. While this is a bit of work, it will allow you to validate that the position of all of your deck fittings is correct.

How to Make Articles

  • “How to Make a Chain Plate”
  • “Make a Jenny Stay Strut.” usvmyg.org. April 2026.
    • Materials, tools, and procedures for making the strut that is used to adjust the shape of the top of the mast. A pattern for the strut is provided.
  • “Make a Jib Club Fitting.” usvmyg.org. May 2026.
    • Materials, tools, and procedures for making this important attachment point for the jibstay and jib control loop.
  • “Make a Mast Tang.” usvmyg.org. April 2026.
    • Materials, tools, and procedures for making this simple but hard-to-source rigging item.
  • “Making Parts from Tee-Shaped Brass.” usvmyg.org, June 2026.
    • This is a “How to” article that describes how to make a jib rack, shroud racks, and your backstay bracket along with other fittings you will need to rig your boat.
  • Stoudt, John. “2¢ Worth: Make a Metric Boom Vang.” The Model Yacht. 27:2. Summer 2026.
    • Parts for making a Walton boom vang are becoming hard to find. Here is a boom vang you can make with metric clevises, dune buggy turnbuckles, and your own two cents.
  • TMY Editorial Staff. “A Simple Mast Step on Deck.” The Model Yacht. 24:2. Summer 2023.
    • There is a simple mast step that includes a ⅛-in plate mounted to the deck and a pin in the bottom of the mast.
  • TMY Editorial Staff. “Fairleads.” The Model Yacht. 24:2. Summer 2023.
    • Fairleads for vintage model yachts can be very hard to find,and if you do find them, they can be a bit pricey, although beautiful. You can make your own that look good and are functional using hardware store items.
  • TMY Editorial Staff. “Gooseneck Attachment Bracket.” The Model Yacht. 24:2. Summer 2023.
    • This gooseneck attachment bracket accommodates a ball link and a Walton Boom Vang.
  • TMY Editorial Staff. “Make a Jib Swivel.” usvmyg.org. May 2026.
    • Materials, tools, and procedures for making this connector that must handle the highest loads on a model yacht.
  • TMY Editorial Staff. “Making a Spreader” The Model Yacht. 23:1. Winter 2022. pp. 28-29.
    • Materials, tools, and procedures to make a spreader to deflect the shrouds and allow them to better support the mast.
  • TMY Editorial Staff. “Make an Outhaul Fairlead.” usvmyg.org. May 2026.
    • A simple solution to keep your outhauls from cutting into your booms.
  • TMY Editorial Staff. “Tee-Shaped Brass for Various Fittings.” The Model Yacht. 24:2. Summer 2023.
    • These Tees can be used for making a shroud rack, mast step, mast crane, backstay bracket, and other fittings.
  • Walton, Ivor. “How to Make a Boom Vang.” The Model Yacht. 20:1. Spring 2019. pp. 16-18.
    • This article describes how to make a boom vang with a turnbuckle. It can be whatever length is needed to fit your boat and have either a brass or aluminum finish.
  • Walton, Ivor. “Spring-Loaded Boom Vang.” Model Yachting. 168. Summer 2012. pp. 21-22.
    • This article describes how to make a spring-loaded boom vang. The spring compression allows the boom to be pulled down lower than its normal position in order to tighten the leech under certain upwind sailing conditions.

Mast Articles

  • Henderson, John and Stango, Victor. “Structural Mechanics of Wooden Masts.” The Model Yacht. 27:1. Spring 2026. pp. 16-22.
    • A technical exploration of mast design, explaining the engineering principles—such as buckling and material properties—that determine mast strength and performance.
  • Henderson, John and Stoudt, John. “How to Make a Wooden Mast.” The Model Yacht. 27:1. Spring 2026. pp. 11-15.
    • A practical, step-by-step guide to selecting materials, tools, and techniques for constructing strong and effective wooden masts for model yachts.
  • Prough, Don. “Main Sheet: Our online editor takes the mystery out of carving your own mast.” Model Builder. 28:4. March 1974. pp. 26, 62-63.
    • The article focuses on how to design and carve an effective mast for a model yacht, emphasizing that it’s a commonly misunderstood part of construction.

Parts Articles

These “Parts Articles” give details about the specific parts or rig assemblies defined in the Glossary, Each page contains the definition, photos and drawings, sources, and links to related articles.

Reference Articles

  • “Bench Tuning Your Boat.” The Model Yacht. 24:1, Winter/Spring 2023. pp 7-8.
    • The last thing to do before you put your boat in the water and after you have set up the rig and verified that it is true side to side is “bench tuning” – including securing your main and jib sheets.
  • “How to Anneal Aluminum or Brass.” usvmyg.org. April 2026.
    • Working non-ferrous metals will cause them to harden and break. Bring back their flexibility by annealing.
  • Henderson, John. “Running Rigging.” usvmyg.org. June 2026.
  • Henderson, John. “Standing Rigging.” usvmyg.org. June 2026.
  • “How to Do End Whipping.” usvmyg.org. May 2026.
    • Whipping is a common way to stabilize the end of a piece of rope, but it can work in other applications. There are a few circumstances when building a rig for a model yacht where you may want to end-whip the end of a mast or boom.
  • “Parts of a Sail.” usvmyg.org. April 2026.
    • A reference article for the sails of a sloop and the names for their corners and edges.
  • “Rig Setting Tools.” usvmyg.org. July 2026.
    • Make and square and calipers to set your mast straight.
  • “Spars and Shrouds.” usvmyg.org. April 2026.
    • A reference page for topics of masts, booms, and shrouds.
  • “Threading a Bowsie” usvmyg.org. April 2026.
    • Pictures from the SAILSetc website that show to right and wrong way to rig a bowsie.

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