by jcalvinmarks » Tue Dec 01, 2009 6:53 am
I have heard of color coding schemes like this. The scheme mentioned in the most recent thread about topping lifts comes straight from Chapman Piloting & Seamanship. I haven't bothered to use a scheme like this because sailing rigging is so bloody expensive. Both of my boats have been bought used, so I used the lines that were on the boat when I bought it. When I replaced a line, I used the cheapest-priced line of the appropriate material and thickness I could find, so I've never had any latitude in selecting colors.
On a small boat like the DS, with its relatively simple rigging, I think spending too much time bothering with a color scheme is overkill. If you were using it specifically as a training tool to train brand-new sailors, then a color scheme might be a good idea, both for ease of instruction, and to get them into the habit. But if you're just going out single-handed, or with a crew that has a working knowledge of your boat, then everyone knows pretty quickly which line goes where. Once you get into gaff rigging, multi-masted boats, or more than 3 sails set at a time, then I can see the value in a color scheme.