| | | | | | | |

Winches

ByThe Rigging Company

The three big winch  players are Harken, Lewmar, and Andersen. Selden is also trying to make a splash in the production winch market. Almost all of these manufacturers offer different drum finishes from anodized aluminum, stainless steel, and chrome plated bronze (even un-chromed bronze upon special request). So what are some of the other differences? One of the number one companies…

| | | | | | |

Views From Aloft

ByThe Rigging Company

This was a spar finish and rigging package that we put together back in the summer of 2014. Originally this mast was an Annapolis Spars design (our previous employer). I love the way these masts were built. This is exactly how the top of a Pro Furl furler “Wrapstop” system should look when the sail…

| | | | | | | | |

Wire Rigging Vs. Synthetic Rigging Vs. Rod Rigging

ByThe Rigging Company

Synthetic rigging has been getting more and more common recently. Rod rigging has lost some popularity in the past decade due to parts availability issues from manufacturers. Wire rigging has remained tried and true to the test of time. In looking at each of these stay materials we find some advantages and disadvantages. Let’s take a look……

| | | | | |

Views from Aloft

ByThe Rigging Company

It has been a while since I have posted a Views from Aloft segment, we’ve been super busy! This was about 2 months ago in the beautiful Baltimore Inner Harbor with Ft. Mchenry just across the water. Any guesses where we were? If my memory serves me correct this was a 2005 Hunter 44 Deck…

| | | | | | |

Swageless Mechanical Fittings or Swage Terminals…

ByThe Rigging Company

…Which do you prefer? When talking about wire standing rigging for sailboats, there are two primary ways to secure a fitting to the end of the cable, the swage fitting and the mechanical fitting. One requires a specialized, expensive machine (pictured below) that is used to essentially squeeze or hammer the fitting onto the wire,…

| | | | |

A Whisker Pole System

ByThe Rigging Company

Using a whisker pole that is sized and configured properly, can make sailing by the lee stable and comfortable. Usually downwind sailing, specifically in light air, can feel a bit sluggish and sloppy. Some of us feel that flying a spinnaker is too much work and that a lot can go wrong quickly.  So what can we do when we have to do…

| | | | |

Schaefer Furlers, Quality…..

ByThe Rigging Company

……and reliability, that has withstood the test of time. Schaefer Headsail Furlers are definitely in a class of their own. Boasting some of the similar features of the Harken units, but to only improve upon them (see our archives). Don’t get me wrong I love Harken furlers, but if you want to spend some extra bucks for heavy…

| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |

Authorized Harken Hydraulics Service Center

ByThe Rigging Company

Back in April 2016, The Rigging Company attended a week long certification to become an Authorized Harken Hydraulics Service Center. WE PASSED!!! You can now bring your Harken hydraulic units or systems to The Rigging Company (or we can bring The Rigging Company to you) to have them serviced, repaired, and even replaced. We not…

| | | | |

Harken Headsail Furlers

ByThe Rigging Company

Is Harken the Best? Well that’s a matter of opinion I guess. They are definitely one of the best. There is just no match for composite ball bearing furlers. The reason is that Harken Furlers and any composite bearing furlers can typically be easily serviced and maintained. Essentially, in order to maintain your Harken Headsail Furler, all you have to do…

| | | | | | | | | |

A Deeper Look at Top Down/ Spinnaker Furlers

ByThe Rigging Company

Top down furling is the new revolution that makes flying the big sails a much more achievable task. However, nothing is just push a button and ‘bang’ there’s your spinnaker. Although this system makes it much more viable to fly a spinnaker there is still a learning curve. This system is all about set up…

| | | | | |

Hood SL Foresail Furlers

ByThe Rigging Company

When shopping for headsail furlers one can find a wide variety manufacturers such as: Pro Furl, Facnor, Harken, Hood, Bamar, Schaefer, Reckmann, Reefit, CDI; as well as a wide variety of prices. So where does quality and low pricing find a happy marriage? How can one possibly make a decision that’s worthwhile with all of…

| | | | | | | | | | |

The Integral Backstay Adjuster

ByThe Rigging Company

Integral backstay adjusters can play a big role in how a boat sails. Being able to adjust the backstay tension from the pump of a handle can be useful on cruisers just as much as racers. We all need to make general changes to the boats trim depending on wind and wave conditions in order…