Question: What do I do if my rig fails? From the Rigger: There are few things that sailors fear more than catastrophic rig failure. Whether sailing locally or heading into open water, having a plan in place may save you, your crew and your boat. Here are a few suggestions… Read more…
Question: Why would I need a rig inspection, and what does it entail? From the Rigger: We do rig inspections (also called rig surveys) for a variety of reasons. Often an inspection is triggered by the sale of a boat or an insurance requirement. But we are always pleased to Read more…
Question: How do I best use and maintain my hydraulic backstay adjuster? From the Rigger: Hydraulic cylinders allow us to pull tremendous loads without breaking a sweat and then to release those loads in a quick and controlled manner. Hydraulic systems on larger yachts can be quite expensive and complex with Read more…
Question: How do I know when it is time to retire a rope? From the Rigger: At Rigworks we are proud to be a Samson distributor. Samson manufactures some of the best marine rope on the market. So to answer this question, we went directly to the source. Here is Read more…
Question: How can I extend the life of the rope on my boat? From the Rigger: There are many ways to extend the life of your rope. Here are some of our favorites… End-for-Ending – This very simple solution is definitely under-utilized. Simply flip your rope around end-for-end to vary Read more…
Boat owners often ask us to commission their boats after transport. Of course, one of their first questions (as it should be) is always “what will it cost?” And our answer usually starts with… “That depends.” The cost of a commission is based on many things, but a key factor Read more…
Question: What are my options for replacing worn lifelines? From the Rigger: There are more choices than ever when replacing worn lifelines… Most lifelines are made of wire, usually uncoated 1×19 grade 316 stainless steel which is well suited for stationary applications such as lifelines. Diameters vary depending on the Read more…
Question: I haven’t given my lifelines much thought lately. Suggestions? From the Rigger: How to inspect your lifelines… We are always a bit surprised when we visit a boat and, although the rig is well maintained, the lifelines are clearly neglected. Lifelines are essential to the safety of your crew Read more…
Question: How do I maintain my stainless steel standing rigging to ensure that my boat is safe and performing optimally? From the Rigger: Maintaining your Standing Rigging… Stainless Steel Standing Rigging is one of the lowest maintenance components on the modern sailboat. Although desired upkeep is relatively simple, it is Read more…
Question: What should we look for when selecting a halyard? From the Rigger: The Anatomy of a Halyard… In its simplest form a halyard is just a length of line that runs from the deck, up the mast head and back down to a point where it attaches to the Read more…