2006 Catalog

Books, Videos & Tools By Brion Toss

Best Sellers! Dear Friends, Look inside for more details This catalog has come about in pretty much the same way as our Apprentice Program and the Master Rigger videos and THE COMPLETE RIGGER’S workshops — by popular demand. APPRENTICE by Brion Toss Considered the authoritative text on Nearly 15 years ago we decided to respond to the many in- yacht rigging procedures. You can quiries to learn rigging in a hands-on way. The Rigger’s Ap- find everything from block selection prenticeship Program was born. Then there were all the folks who wanted to know how to get tools like to rig tuning to basic . Hard- ours. Well, we made cover pp392 $39.95 many of them our- (See more details on page 4) selves, and to some degree we still do. BRION TOSS’ SPLICING WAND We now have a ter- FOR BRAIDED AND PARALLEL-CORE rific production team Braided rope splicing can be a daunting, frustrating task, headed by Norm if you are using conventional tools Coote. He makes our and instructions. That’s why the tools to exacting stan- Splicing Wand was invented, a tool dards, including many details done by hand. that makes quick, easy work of tuck- Our videos are also “hand-crafted”, full of ing. The Splicing Wand is basically a the nuances and refinements that can wake up a rig. Actually long tube containing a hidden snare. “seeing” how a job is done can go a long way towards learning You slide the tool into the rope, grab to do that job. the end you want to tuck, and slide the tool out. $55— $85 And of course, there are the books — The Rigger’s Apprentice, (We’ve got six sizes, see page 3 for more details) Chapman’s Knots for Boaters, and our new Working Rope Series. It is much harder to write about rigging than it is just to rig, but over the years we’ve been amply rewarded by hear- WORKING ROPE BOOK 5: BASIC BRAIDED SPLICING ing from people about what a positive difference these books Here is your key to demystifying Braided Rope Splicing. have made for them, and for their boats. In this first volume of the Working Rope series, Brion Toss and Margie McDonald bring to you Finally, there are our workshops, espresso-intense weekends, the distilled results of decades of experi- packed with information, where you can get a first-hand taste ence with thousands of splices. You’ll of what it’s like to work on real boats with a rigger. find clear, illustrated instructions for We hope you’ll take advantage of these fruits of our experi- splicing conventional like Dacron ence. We love this trade, and love to see it done right. and Nylon, as well as the new High- Modulus lines like Spectra and Vectran. Fair Leads, Pp122. Paperback. $17.50 Brion Toss and Christian Gruyé (See page 4 for more details)

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p. 2 Tools

THE BOSUN’S HARNESS THE TOSS HANDY BILLY Imagine a bosun’s chair that lets you get higher on the A two-speed, “handy” endless rope tool, with 3:1 and 6:1 mast, is impossible to fall out of, and allows utter freedom advantage. Use the 3:1 to move light loads, and to stabi- of movement. Imagine further that it has a built-in tether, lize all loads quickly. Switch to 6:1 for heavier loads, or to 3 halyard attachment points, two belts for tools, loops for raise or lower at lower speed, with greater control. Can hanging extra gear from, and a be used to set up a temporary stay, to pull a jib foil for- large multi-pocket pouch, the ward without a turnbuckle, for overboard recovery, hoist- Rigger’s Tool Pouch, for cotter ing dinghy’s, etc. Add a single block for a compound pur- pins, small tools, tape and chase to stretch wire for other incidentals. splicing, jury rig a A very heavily-padded moun- shroud, and so on. This taineering-style harness that concept is the same one we’ve designed for the de- behind our popular mands of yacht rigging. More “endless mainsheets”. A comfortable, and for longer, must for cruisers. than any other harness or chair $495.95 that we’ve tried. Brion Toss’s video Going aloft and instructions for suggested use included. $389.95 JAPANESE MARLINGSPIKE A sturdy six-inch spike of the best quality Japanese tool steel, with duck bill point for smooth insertion. Small enough for tiny line, CARIBINER, GOLD strong enough for splicing steel wire. The locking pear-shaped carabiner is a must-have item on Solid white oak handle. any cruising vessel. Combined with the carabiner hitch, $14.95 detailed in Chapman’s Guide to Knots (written by Brion), it is a life saving item when working aloft. The carabiner is manufac- tured by Petzl, is individually RIGGER’S PLIERS tested, and comes with a three- Our specially modified cotter pin removal tool allows year guarantee. $16.50 most of the muscles in your arm to be applied directly to the removal of the cotter pin instead of the wasted effort of clamping tight plier jaws while twisting the night away, CALIPER GAUGE or gouging your hand and/or spars with a dull screw- This is a low-tech, high impact micrometer, for measur- driver. Useful for tightening and cutting wire, ing wire, rope, tangs, bolts, pins, tracks, chains, and just loosening nuts, holding pieces for cutting and dressing, about every other component of your rig. Measures inter- etc. A black finish resists corro- nal diameter, outside diameter, and sion, the handles are wonderfully depth. Reads in 1/100, 1/64, and ergonomic, and there’s a clever millimeters. little spring in the handle. To use, $27.95 just flick on the spring, and then flick it off for stowing in your pocket or in our Rigger’s Bucket. $37

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Tools p. 3

BRION TOSS’ SPLICING WAND Z-VISE THE PROFESSIONAL MODEL The z-Vise is the Swiss Army FOR BRAIDED AND PARALLEL-CORE ROPE knife of vises Its light-weight Braided rope splicing can be a daunting, frustrating task, and smart design allows com- if you are using conventional tools and instructions. pact storage, perfect for the That’s why the Splicing Wand was invented, a tool that cruising sailor. With a quiver makes quick, easy work of tucking. The Splicing Wand is of attachments, it converts to basically a long tube containing a hidden snare. You slide a rill press, wire clamp, wood the tool into the rope, grab the end you want to tuck, and clamps, and it now comes with slide the tool out. its own durable hard plastic There’s a specially carrying case. shaped tip on the tube, $340 to keep you from snag- ging yarns along the POINT HUDSON PHID way, an ingenious For 3-Strand and Mega rope. This is the world’s mechanism in the han- second most expensive ; the most expensive being those dle, to hold the tube in that cut and disturb your roe as you use them! The place while you work. Point Hudson Phid makes a You can clamp the tool smaller hle in the rope than in a vise if you want, ordinary fids, so a leaving both hands free smoother fairer splice re- to deal with the rope, there’s no taping or untaping, no fid sults, with no hockles or lengths to decipher, and very little physical effort needed sliced yarns. The Phid is to tuck. For professionals it’s the tool of choice. Easy to round and polished with no follow instructions for the double-braid eyesplice in- sharp edges to damage the cluded. rope fibers. It is easy to enter, even into hard-laid rope. The Splicing Wand comes in three sizes—the inches are The Phid is designed with an artful cutaway; so you can for rope diameter. leave it in the rope while tucking Micro 7/64” -1/4” — $55 the strand; no more yanking and dragging to get the strand home. Small 3/16” - 3/8” — $55 The Point Hudson Phid comes in Medium 5/16” - 1/2” — $55 two sizes — Small for 5/16—5/8 Extra Long 42” Medium — $65 dia. rope; Large for 3/4— 1 1/8” Large 3/8” - 3/4” — $65 rope. Large $35; Small $29 Extra Large 3/4” - over 1” — $75

11” SOINI TEF-GEL KIT The marlingspike is a fundamental rigging tool, essential Tef Gel is the highest-grade, long- for splicing wire, tightening and lashings, prying, est-lasting isolating compound we wedging, torqueing, etc. Our model is locally-made, with have discovered. We use it daily to proportions derived from the isolate dissimilar metals, lubricate classic Drew pattern. At 11 turnbuckles, and more. A tiny amount goes a long way. inches long, it is a maximally- Save thousands of dollars in future repair and replace- versatile size, a must-have for ment costs by applying Tef Gel today. Includes easy to use any rigger. applicator brush. 1 ounce kit. $14.95 $40 www.briontoss.com 1-800-488-0855

p. 4 Brion’s Books

THE COMPLETE RIGGER’S APPRENTICE WORKING ROPE BOOK 5: BASIC BRAIDED By Brion Toss SPLICING Considered the standard text on yacht rigging procedures. Here is your key to demystifying Braided Rope Splicing. You can find everything from block selection to rig tuning In this first volume of the Working Rope series, Brion to basic knots. Other topics include: demystify braided Toss and Margie McDonald bring to you the distilled re- rope splicing; load calculations; working aloft; wire splic- sults of decades of experience with thousands of splices. ing; plus everything you need to know to make your rig You’ll find clear, illustrated instructions for splicing con- work. ventional ropes like Dacron and Nylon, as well as the new Hardcover pp392 $39.95 High-Modulus lines like Spectra and Vectran. There are no confusing fid lengths here, just dimensions based on rope diameter, or on marks braided into the rope at the factory. Pp122. Paperback. $17.50

KNOTS FOR BOATERS By Brion Toss There are a lot of books around, but this is the only one that — focuses on those knots, new and old, which are most useful in contemporary life; takes the nature of synthetic line into account (many once useful knots just won’t work under high loads in slick line); and shows knots in ways that are designed to be easy to learn and remember. pp192 Paperback. $ 14.95

www.briontoss.com 1-800-488-0855

p. 5 Videos/DVDs

MAKING YOUR OWN EYE SPLICES TUNING YOUR RIG By Brion Toss By Brion Toss This is our densest video, packed with almost 3 hours of Having a properly tuned rig increases longevity, perform- clear, easy-to-remember instructions for splicing every ance and comfort afloat, and makes sailing less work. commonly used rope. Splices covered include: This video covers: Orientation to wire and rope proper- • Double Braid ties; Brion’s famous bungy rig demo; • Sta-Set X Eye Splice Dockside tuning of cruising yachts; 3 • 3-Strand Eye Splice methods of rig tension; The Toss • Regatta Braid Eye Splice Turnbuckle Tightening Technique; and Dynamic tuning under sail. • Double Braid End to End Splice You’ll be astounded at the difference • Spectra Eye Splice in your vessel after you apply these • Naked Spectra Eye Splice simple adjustments. 75 min. VHS • 3-Strand to Chain Splice and DVD. $29.95. • Arborist Rope Eye Splice. Features Brion Toss’ Splicing Wand and the Point Hudson Phid. 140 min. VHS and DVD. $29.95. (Wand and phid sold INSPECTING YOUR RIG on page 3.) By Brion Toss Learn about the impact of age, climate, tune and fatigue GOING ALOFT on a boat’s rig. Learn to survey by following the “flow of By Brion Toss forces” in a rig. Take a dock walk People tend to be either nonchalant with Brion to spot good and bad rig- about working aloft, or terrified of it. ging in a typical marina, shortcom- This video lays down safety proce- ings in roller furling, deck layout dures—some obvious—once stated, and wire terminals. This tape won’t some subtle—to make leaving the replace professional surveys, but deck a safer, easier exercise. Topics will expose you to frequently missed include: chairs & harnesses; deck rig flaws. 90 min. VHS and DVD. crew protocol; essential knots and $27.95 belaying techniques; and aspects of mental attitude. 60 min. VHS and DVD. $27.95.

FANCY WORK SERIES Buy all 3 for only $66! Fancy Work: This video covers the basic knots necessary in creating fancy work, including two turk's heads, a suitable for three and four stands, and a variety of covering hitches. 45 min. $24.95

More Fancy Work: The second video increases the complexity of the knots and builds on Volume I's basics. It includes among others the 5-strand star knot button, the 3-strand braid and the Matthew Walker knot. 90min. $24.95

Still More Fancy Work: This video is the most ambitious of this series and includes the 6- strand round sinnet, the rare diamond lanyard knot, the “window maze” diamond button, and the crowning fancy work achievement - a bell rope. 90 min. $24.95

www.briontoss.com 1-800-488-0855

p. 6 Specials!

BUY 3 VIDEOS or DVDs FOR $80 SPLICING KIT OR ALL 4 FOR $100 This kit has just about everything you need to start splic- ing. It includes a Splicing Wand, Brion Toss’ video Mak-

ing Your Own Eye Splices, and 12 feet of 1/2 inch double- braid to practice with the wand and video. Sold separately, these prod- ucts are valued over $102. Our special kit price: Micro,

Small & Medium Wands — $87. Large and Extra Long Med. wands — $97. Please specify titles in your order. Extra Large — $107. See page 3 for sizing details. FANCY WORK KIT This Fancy Work Kit will take you from the basic knots SPLICING WAND AND BOOK SPECIAL into the more complicated. It includes all three of Brion Braided rope splicing can be a daunting, frustrating task, Toss’ Fancy Rope Work videos, our Japanese Marling- if you are using conventional tools and instructions. The spike and an 11 lb. roll of tarred twine to get you started. combination of the Splicing Wand and Working Rope Makes a perfect gift for that creative person. Book 5: Basic Braided Splicing by Brion Toss and Margie Sold separately for $99. VHS and DVD. McDonald will help. Please Special kit price—$86. specify wand size — see page 3. Micro, Small, Medium — $69.95. Large — $79.95 Extra Long Med. — $79.95 Extra Large — $89.95

THE COMPLETE RIGGER’S KIT Save $70 on many of the tools we consider essential in our shop. $550.00

• Zylis vise with hard • Tef-Gel Kit case • Caliper Gauge • Splicing Wand • Point Hudson Phid (specify small, med., (specify small or or large) large) • Japanese Marling • 50X Microscope spike • Gear Keeper • Rigger’s Pliers • Roll of Tarred Seine • Rigging Tape Twine • Carabiner www.briontoss.com 1-800-488-0855

Master Rigger Workshop Series p. 7

Spend an intense weekend with Master Rigger New! Rigging For Women Brion Toss, his crew of highly skilled riggers, Whether single-handed sailing, or sailing with a partner, plus special guests, in our most popular work- there are some essential rig maintenance skills that eve- shops. ryone needs to know. This workshop, though, is de- signed for and taught by our female These workshops evolved from Brion’s Rigger Appren- riggers. A very full two ticeship Program. After numerous requests from profes- days, in three parts — sionals and the general public, we made our favorites Wenches on Winches - available to everyone. We’ll disassemble a winch Jury Rigging for maintenance, and take Ever wonder how you would react to an emergency at a good look at all the sys- sea? Like so many other things, it comes down to skill tems - Cars, blocks, wire, and attitude. In this workshop, you will learn ocean- halyards, turnbuckles, proven techniques for putting things back in working or- chain plates. Basic Braided Splice der after they’ve come apart. And, just as important, and Knots - Double braid splice, core to core, butterfly you’ll learn how the components of a rig function...what knot, & more from Brion’s books. Going they do, how they can fail, and how you can prevent that Aloft Safely We’ll show you how to go aloft, in the right failure. You’ll learn a variety of powerful techniques, gear and with all the safety techniques. While up there - including little-known knots and procedures. And you we'll do a quick survey; show you how to work with tools will put your new-found skills to work aboard some ac- aloft, and, how to get them up and down, safely. We’ll tual boats. cover effective communication with deck crew, and me- chanical advantage rather than strength. Basic Braided Splicing Splicing braided rope can be easy. That’s right, easy. The See insert in this brochure for keys are clear, simple instructions, good tools, and hands- current schedule of workshops. on practice with people who know that they’re doing. To register, call 1-360-385-1080, 9 am—5 pm Plus: our price includes Mon.-Fri., PST. Or email [email protected]. Brion’s new “Basic Braided Workshops start at 9 am sharp, breaking for lunch and Splices” book, so you can ending around 5 pm. Workshops require a minimum of review what you’ve 5 participants. Reservations require a $100 deposit. If learned. Splices you we do not reach our minimum learn, include: double- registration, two weeks prior braid, sta-setX, regatta to the workshop, it will be braid, and T900. cancelled and all deposits refunded. Refunds for par- Rigging Your Boat ticipant cancellation will Get hands-on experience with drill, taps, rivets, tuning only be made if cancelled at gauges, deck hardware, and more, plus basic information least 2 weeks prior to the on component sizing and layout. Also basic splicing, Sta- workshop. lok installation, rig layout, and design/load considera- tions. This class details the skills and ideas needed to put Private Instruction a fully-functional rig in a boat. Bring your rig specifica- We are often asked by our customers to teach them, one- tions, sail and rig plan, calculator, and ideas. on-one, some of the specialized rigging skills — such as Splicing, Knots, or Stalok assembly, etc. We are happy to

schedule time for you at the shop rate of $75 per hour.

www.briontoss.com 1-800-488-0855

Our Mission p. 8

We build custom sailing rigs, matching design and materials to each client’s need. We offer the best of traditional and contemporary technologies, always keeping in mind the virtues of resourcefulness, sim- plicity and enduring strength; they seem to have something to do with happiness.

At Brion Toss Yacht Riggers we practice a systems ap- DESIGN & CONSULTATION proach to rigging, in which all components — the rig, hull Change your boat to suit your needs, with a clear idea of structure, and even the sailor — are treated as an inter- the options. Our emphasis is to integrate changes into dependent, interrelated system. existing rig systems and into your particular sailing style. Our rigging loft is located in We offer consultations on any aspect of your rig system — the historic Victorian sea- • Deck Layout port of Port Townsend, • Furling & Reefing Systems Washington, though our • Stability & Rig Load Analysis • Performance work takes us to harbors all • Safety over the world. We have five full-time riggers, and FABRICATION & INSTALLATION an office staff of three, ready to offer you the high- Who better to rig your boat than the man who wrote the est standards in rigging — book on rigging? We fabricate and install traditional and nothing less. contemporary rigging for boats all over the world. Whether you need a new stainless rig and Sta-Loks for SURVEY your offshore cruiser or fully served and spliced galva- nized for your traditional schooner. We offer complete A thorough, comprehensive survey is a system based look rigging services, including commissions. at your whole rig, from truck to chainplates to step. We’ll tell you what you need to know about your rig’s quality, EQUIPMENT & WORKSHOPS condition, and appropriateness. A good survey provides valuable information for coastwise sailors and is a must Brion has developed many tools and ideas, and made for anyone considering an offshore voyage. A detailed grateful use of the tools and ideas of others, in order to report with a brief consultation is included. meet the challenge of turning bits of rope, steel and alu- minum into safe functional rigging. “...I have come to appreciate your work and suggestions...those preventers you guys rigged us are just great. Very easy to rig and This catalog features those tools, books, videos and work just right.” - Eric Stephen, S/V Indara equipment designed by Brion or re- commended by him.

TUNING In addition, you can learn from his many A well-tuned boat heels less, so it’s more comfortable; it years experience by needs to be reefed less often, so it’s less work; it handles participating in one of better, and it’s faster, so it’s more fun! We provide tuning his five workshops per either by itself or as an adjunct to a survey. year, or by browsing his “You tuned our Hunter 336...What a wonderful change…The boat is website. more balanced, the main raises easier, the boom no longer rides on top of the bimini...there is no longer the feeling of fighting the boat The crew when closed-hauled..it’s the best investment we have made on the boat.” - David & Linda Smith S/V Rising Star Visit our website to shop our complete cata- log, join our SparTalk rigging bulletin board, read Brion’s latest FairLeads articles, or 313 Jackson Street, Port Townsend, WA 98368 learn more about our workshops. Phone: 360.385-1080 fax: 360.385-4538 www.briontoss.com 1-800-488-0855