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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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The Integral Backstay Adjuster

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…

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Rod Rigging

    In the world of sailboat standing rigging there are three common materials used, stainless steel wire, Nitronic 50 rod, and various types of synthetic fibers, which are becoming more and more popular. I want to talk today about Nitronic 50 stainless steel rod. This specific type of stainless steel is very strong and noble. Rod…

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Servicing The Chain Plates

The chainplate is typically a metal plate used to fasten a stay to the boat. One end of the chainplate has a hole for the pin of the turnbuckle, the remainder of the chainplate is used to attach the plate to the boat  via a bulkhead, knee, tie rod or the hull itself. Chainplates get their name…

Boom Brakes and Preventers
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Boom Brakes and Preventers

When sailing down wind we eventually may find ourselves having to perform the dreaded gybe.  Depending on conditions and wind strengths, this can be relatively painless or really scary. A violent gybe, which causes the boom to crash from one side of the boat to the other, can cause major damage. In some instances the boom…

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The Annapolis Fall Boat Show……

……is back again. This year, just to mix things up a bit, the Powerboat Show will be up first, starting tomorrow October 3-6. Make sure you visit us at our booth (Tent O-13) next week at the Sailboat Show which will begin on the 10th through the 14th. Also you can see our ad in this month’s…

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Patrick Jinks, A True Master Rigger……

There are sailboat riggers, sailboat rigging apprentices, and then there are master riggers. At what point do you achieve master status? Well it is all a matter of who is handing out these titles, I guess. Regardless of who is handing out titles, after 20 years of practicing any one skill or trade, you have become…

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Spring is Right Around the Corner……

Spring is right around the corner, although there have been a few days that have had us feeling like spring is already here. This amazing winter has moved some people to start preparing earlier rather than later. Not only does one need to prepare the boat and de-winterize the engine, but we shouldn’t forget about…