After Annapolis Boat Show
BSI, Seldén, Mack Sails, Kingfisher, Maffioli, Cyclops, and many more. Have a question? Give us a ring. We’d be glad to help.
-
-
Around the World | Classic Yachts | Cruisers | Modern Yachts | Product Review | Racers | Rigging | Tech Tips
Single Sideband Insulators for Backstays
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,…
-
The Best Scissors Ever…
…At least for cutting boat rope. Viper Kevlar Shears cut Kevlar (especially), but are also great for other tough fabrics like Dyneema, Vectran, Polyester, Technora. Apparently it is also used in cutting plastics, canvas, and even body armor. Yes, of course they’ll go dull after a few years of cutting tough fiber rope, but they carry a…
-
Classic Yachts | Cruisers | Modern Yachts | Multihulls | Product Review | Racers | Rigging | Tech Tips | Yachting
The Vang
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…
-
Classic Yachts | Cruisers | Modern Yachts | Multihulls | Product Review | Rigging | Sailing | Solo Sailing | Tech Tips | Yachting
Which Boom Furler is the Best?
In-boom furling is one option for managing a mainsail. The comparisons below include our experience with legacy ProFurl MKR and Furlboom systems as well as Schaefer and Leisure Furl. Legacy observations are useful to owners of existing equipment, but are not a statement of current availability, pricing or support. Like many other things in sailing,…
-
Classic Yachts | Cruisers | Modern Yachts | Multihulls | Product Review | Racers | Rigging | Tech Tips | The Biz!
Winches
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…
-
Americas Cup | Classic Yachts | Cruisers | Modern Yachts | Multihulls | Product Review | Racers | Rigging | Tech Tips | The Biz!
Wire Rigging Vs. Synthetic Rigging Vs. Rod Rigging
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……
-
Classic Yachts | Cruisers | Modern Yachts | Multihulls | Product Review | Racers | Rigging | Tech Tips
Swageless Mechanical Fittings or Swage Terminals…
…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
Using a whisker pole that is sized and configured properly, can make deep downwind sailing more 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…..
……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…
-
Americas Cup | Annapolis Sailing | Around the World | Baltimore Sailing | Classic Yachts | Cruisers | Extreme Sailing Series | Maritime News | Modern Yachts | Multihulls | Product Review | Racers | Rigging | Tech Tips | The Biz! | Volvo Ocean Race 2014-2015 | Yachting
Authorized Harken Hydraulics Service Center
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 sell,…
-
Cruisers | Modern Yachts | Product Review | Racers | Rigging | Tech Tips
Harken Headsail Furlers
Is Harken the best? That is a matter of opinion, but its serviceable headsail furlers have long been a shop favorite. Compare the current Harken MKIV and MKIV Ocean systems; unit size, headstay length, wire or rod connection, pin size and sail requirements all matter. For MKIV Ocean maintenance, Harken specifies soap and fresh-water flushing…
