Nautical Term: Stepping-up pieces
Definition of Stepping-up pieces
Stepping-up pieces, also known as adjusting blocks or shifting sheaves, are specialized components of a rigging system aboard a sailing vessel. These pieces function to alter the length of the forestay or other rigging stays, thereby adjusting the sail area and trim of the sails to optimize sailing performance in varying wind conditions.
For instance, when sailing close-hauled in a light air condition, a skipper may need to shorten the forestay length to decrease sail area and lighten the sail load. In this scenario, the skipper would step-up the forestay with an adjusting block, to achieve the desired forestay length and sail trim adjustment.
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