Cyclops Load Sensors: Taking Sailboat Rigging to the Next Generation
Why catamarans benefit from rig-load data: SmartTune turnbuckles, load pins, static tuning, charter-fleet practices, and realistic insurance questions.
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Check Up from the Deck Up
A sailboat survey does not stop at deck level. Here is why mast and rigging inspections deserve a subject matter expert…and what The Rigging Company looks for from the deck up.
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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,…
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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…
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Annapolis Sailing | Classic Yachts | Cruisers | Modern Yachts | Multihulls | Rigging | Sailing | Tech Tips
Winterize Your Rigging
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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Annapolis Sailing | Around the World | Baltimore Sailing | Classic Yachts | Cruisers | Modern Yachts | Rigging | Tech Tips
The Solent Has Its Own Stay!
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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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…
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How to Step a Mast
Before stepping the mast there needs to be several preparations in order for everything to go smoothly once the crane arrives. So take your time and double, triple check everything in order to keep from having to go aloft, or worse, having to re-step the mast once the mast has been stepped. Below you’ll see a few…
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Annapolis Sailing | Around the World | Baltimore Sailing | Classic Yachts | Cruisers | Modern Yachts | Multihulls | Racers | Rigging | Tech Tips
Un-stepping the Mast
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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Classic Yachts | Cruisers | Modern Yachts | Racers | Rigging | Tech Tips
How to Tune a Sailboat Mast
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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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,…
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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…
