Running rigging

In centuries past, a ship's rigging was typically fashioned from rope.

Traditionally the running rigging was easily recognized since, for flexibility, it was not coated with tar and therefore of a lighter color than the standing rigging which was tarred for protection from weather and therefore darker or even black in color.

Since the 1990s, several new synthetic fibers have become common, particularly on racing and other high-performance sailing boats.

These fibers include Ultra High Molecular Weight Polyethylene (UHMWPE) (also known as Spectra or Dynema), Vectran, and Technora.

Square-rigged vessels require more controlling lines than fore-and-aft rigged ones.