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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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The Crowhurst Scandal

ByThe Rigging Company

Here is a really unique story that has surely left an everlasting impression in yachting history… In October 1968 the Sunday Times sponsored the worlds first single handed around the world race, The Sunday Times Golden Globe Race. This is the race that helped make Sir Robin Knox Johnston the sailing legend he is today. This…

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The Boss Mast Dive

ByThe Rigging Company

Hugo Boss is making waves with Alex Thomson’s new YouTube commercial. Check out his latest antics below. Shame about the nice suit… [youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y4loB_UGxw8&w=560&h=315] Also if you haven’t seen his keel walk, it’s worth a look. ~enjoy the day!

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The JP54 Performance Ocean Cruiser

ByThe Rigging Company

Now that we are discovering fixed wing sails and hydrofoils, the world is starting to accept canting keels as standard equipment. Super accomplished sailor, Jean Pierre Dick’s new yacht building company designs us a blue-water cruiser with an ocean-racer soul. Not only does the JP 54 claim sea worthiness to circumnavigate the globe, but it…

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Remember This Crazy ……..

ByThe Rigging Company

…… Guy! Gabor Rakonczay rowed across the Atlantic Ocean, alone. This took place at the overlap of the 2011/ 2012 year. I just figured it needed a second mention. Crazy! ……… We don’t get something like this every day, but if someone knows someone who knows someone…. Hungarian Gabor Rakonczay is attempting to cross the Atlantic…

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What a Guy

ByThe Rigging Company

The first two skippers finished the Vendee Globe Solo Around the world race, yesterday just 3 hours apart. Pretty amazing! The big story however is Alex Thomson, skipper of Hugo Boss who has decided to follow Jean-Pierre Dick to safety instead of pass him and take the 3rd place podium spot from him. As mentioned…

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The End is Near…

ByThe Rigging Company

The Vendee Globe challengers are approaching the end, which may come as early as this weekend. However, the drama has not stopped. Jean-Pierre Dick (still in third but surely to be passed soon),  has broken his keel, but is puttering along at a measly 11 knots. The skipper of Virbac -Paprec 3 has yet to…

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Vendee Globe, Single Handed Around The World Race

ByThe Rigging Company

Take a minute or two and see what the toughest sailboat race in the world is up to. It has been almost 2 months and the race is about 3/4 of the way finished. Race leaders find themselves currently to the west of Buenos Aries heading north to the finish back in Les Sables D’olonne, France (somewhere I’d…

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Vendee Globe Week 5

ByThe Rigging Company

We are trying to keep up with the predominantly French sailboat race, the Vendee Globe Challenge 2012-2013. This is truly the only regatta that is harder than the Volvo Ocean Race. Twenty racers began the race and only thirteen remain. Take a minute to catch up on the latest action as sailors try and race…

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Take a Break from Your Cyber Monday!

ByThe Rigging Company

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T4Cj-wztyMI?list=SP4D2712YsGHLERzC9eKTGN9WqlAP4qusk&hl=en_US&w=560&h=315] If you need to give your mind a break for a few minutes from the stress of online shopping, then kick back, relax and press play. Enjoy these highlights from day 16 of the Vendee Globe Challenge. The worlds very best sailors challenge each other in these high speed racing machines as they…

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Vendee Globe Crosses The Equator

ByThe Rigging Company

Check in with the fleet for day 12 highlights. The weather is still warm, but the competition keeps shrinking as Zbigniew “Gutek” Gutkovski of Energa had to retire from the race due to a non-working auto helm .Thanks VendeeglobeTV for the much needed american translation. [youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2wqiqdLMa-E&w=560&h=315]

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Solo Around the World, Non-Stop!

ByThe Rigging Company

[slideshow] The Vendee Globe Challenge 2012-2013 is underway. The race actually started just over 2 days ago from Le Sables D’olonne, France. Catch the replay of the start here……… [youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QvKhslDFOyk&w=560&h=315] The race has 20 competitors 19 men and one brave woman, 15 SAMANTHA DAVIES Aboard – Savéol 19 BERTRAND DE BROC Aboard – Votre Nom Autour du…