Patent ID: 8267028

Claim:
A semi-continuous composite rigging system for a sailboat having a mast, comprising: a first continuous shroud extending generally vertically and including a first end portion and a second end portion; a second continuous shroud extending generally vertically and including a first end portion and a second end portion; a plurality of generally diagonal discontinuous shrouds each including a first end portion and a second end portion, the second end portion coupled to the mast; a plurality of terminal coupling devices configured to couple the first end portions of the first and second continuous shrouds to the sailboat and the second end portions of the first and second continuous shrouds to the mast; and at least one hybrid coupling device, the hybrid coupling device comprising: a first body portion configured to permit the first continuous shroud to extend therethrough; a second body portion coupled to the first end portion of one generally diagonal discontinuous shroud; wherein the first body portion of the hybrid coupling device includes a first end, a second end, a first passage extending from the first end to the second end to receive a first portion of the first continuous shroud, and a second passage extending from the first end to the second end to receive a second portion of the first continuous shroud; wherein the first and second passages are: coextensive at the first end and at the second end of the first body portion, and spaced apart and separated by an intermediate portion located between the first end and the second end of the first body portion; wherein the second body portion is coupled to the intermediate portion of the first body portion to couple the first continuous shroud to the mast.