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No Boat Show, No Problem!

ByThe Rigging Company

The boat shows might be cancelled, but The Rigging Company is open!Please join us at our first ever (COVID-Safe)….The Rigging Company (TRC) Open House Stop by the shop (7416 Edgewood Rd, Annapolis) any time Thursday 10/29 through Monday 11/2 from 10am-4pm to see furler displays, learn about all the products & services we offer, or ask those…

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Riggers Spotted in Grand Cayman

ByThe Rigging Company

The Rigging Company was back at it again, but this time enjoying a little slice of paradise. I have to say there are many great things about this line of work, but being able to travel to desirable locations to work on peoples yachts has to top the list. The Cayman Islands has no shortage…

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Single Sideband Insulators for Backstays

ByThe Rigging Company

SSB is a commonly used abbreviation that stands for single side band radio. We are certainly not radio experts here at The Rigging Company. When it comes to specific radio product knowledge, we always recommended that our customers seek the advice of a certified marine electrician. However, just like with all other mast related electrical items,…

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The Rigging Company in the Virgin Islands

ByThe Rigging Company

We just finished our first trip to Grand Cayman on Wednesday for a full re-rig of a 45′ catamaran. Currently, we are in Tortola at Nanny Cay spec’ing and measuring for some new masts. Despite all of the beauty, there is still lots of wreckage everywhere, mostly complete write offs. It seems rebuilding has been…

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Winterize Your Rigging

ByThe Rigging Company

Winterizing a boat is very important, but most people forget about the rigging. Sometimes even the sails. This is actually not that much work, it’s just that most people don’t know what this might entail. Here is what we riggers consider when the sailing season comes to a close.   Remove the Halyards, Attach a messenger…

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The Solent Has Its Own Stay!

ByThe Rigging Company

A stay that gets its name from a strait separating the Isle of Wight from the mainland of southern England, the Solent. This traditionally windy place with strong currents can cause rough sea conditions and can make for some interesting sailing, to say the least. This body of water is also famous for hosting one of sailing’s largest events known as Cowes Week. These…

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The Vang

ByThe Rigging Company

Wiktionary.org offers this defintion of the word vang. Although the etymology is all very interesting. The latter is the one we are the most interested in. Below is a good video describing the benefits of the boom vang and when to use it. [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C31nGzO54O4&w=560&h=315] The Boom Vang, in its simplest form, is a block and…

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Un-stepping the Mast

ByThe Rigging Company

When un-stepping the mast there are several things that need to happen in preparation for the actual mast removal. The following tips and procedures are in line with the methods we use for boats up to 55′. Small boats or big boats alike, first things must come first. All of the sails and sail covers…

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How to Tune a Sailboat Mast

ByThe Rigging Company

Here are some general guidelines for tuning your mast’s standing rigging. Please see our blog on how to properly adjust a turnbuckle before you begin. As always we recommend seeking the advice of a professional rigger for more specific tips and tricks regarding tuning your boat’s rigging. Your boat must be in the water. Begin by just slacking off all of…

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Which Boom Furler is the Best?

ByThe Rigging Company

When it comes to mainsail management systems, in-mast furlers appear to be losing popularity with cruisers while boom furlers keep popping up on more boats. We are noticing a huge increase in customers upgrading their conventional or even their in-mast units (yes, you read that right, read more below) to in-boom furling. I may even go…

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Views from Aloft

ByThe Rigging Company

This was back on Halloween day and I’m back up the mast for an inspection. It was a little chilly, more than I’d prefer but…it’s October. I had a great view of the Spa Creek Bridge. We were at the famous Annapolis Yacht Club…J 105 row. Annapolis Yacht Club is still in the early phases of…