MAST AND RIGGING
SERVICES:
- Rig Checks and Reports.
- Rig Tunes
- NDT test and reports.
- Spars,Standing Rigging (Rod & Carbon),deck and below deck hardware service
- Hardware Supply
- Furling systems
- Hidraulics
- Rig pulls
- Mast painting with the local or preferred company.
- Mast repair/Composite works with the local or preferred company.
WHY IS IMPORTANT TO CONTRACT A PROFESSIONAL RIGGING COMPANY FOR YOUR RIG SURVEY?
Having a professional rigging company to remove and inspect your sailing yacht’s spar (mast) for the 5 years or 10 years rigging survey is not just a matter of convenience it’s a matter of safety, compliance, and long-term cost protection.
Here’s a detailed explanation of why it’s so important:
SAFETY:
Your yacht’s mast and standing rigging are highly loaded structural components.
Every time you sail, they endure dynamic stresses from wind, waves, and hull movement.
Over time, metal fatigue, corrosion, and hidden wear can compromise their integrity invisibly.
A professional rigging company:
-Knows how to un-step (remove) and handle the mast safely using proper cranes and lifting gear.
-Can dismantle terminals, tangs, spreaders, and fittings without damaging threads, wiring, or composite parts.
-Identifies critical fatigue points (e.g., swages, tangs, terminals, and compression fittings) before they fail.
Why it matters: A rig failure at sea can lead to total dismasting, injury, or loss of vessel control — and in many cases, such failures are preventable through proper professional inspection.
TECHNICAL EXPERTISE AND SPECIALIZED EQUIPMENT
Rigging surveys require specialized tools and experience to detect problems invisible to the untrained eye.
Professional riggers use:
-NDT Dye-penetrant or ultrasound testing for stainless fittings or composite laminations.
-NDT Ultrasound test or load-cell testing to assess rod or wire integrity.
-Calibrated hydraulic jacks and tension gauges to verify proper tuning.
-Endoscopic inspection tools for masthead sheaves, electrical runs, and corrosion inside spars.
-They also understand the design tolerances and materials (aluminium, carbon fiber, stainless, rod rigging, etc.) — and can spot stress or galvanic issues that a general mechanic would miss.
COMPLIANCE WITH MANUFACTURER AND INSURANCE:
Most mast and rigging manufacturers (Southern Spars,Hall Spars,Rondal,Sparcraft,etc) and insurance companies require:
-Periodic Spar and Rigging inspections carried by a professional rigger.
-A mast un-step for the 5 years survey and service on dynamic loaded standing rigging.
-A mast un-step for the 10 years survey and service on the entire standing rigging.
If the inspections and the surveys are not performed by a qualified or certified rigger or rigging company, insurance coverage for rig-related damage may be invalidated.
Professional rigging companies can issue an official inspection report and certification recognized by insurers, surveyors from flags and classification societies.
This documentation proves the rig’s condition and that the yacht has been maintained to recognized standards essential for insurance renewals, resale, and charter compliance.
PREVENTING HIDDEND DAMAGE AND COSTLY FAILURES:
Un-stepping the mast allows inspection of areas normally hidden from view:
-Common point of fatigue such as: spreaders, tangs, and shroud terminals.
-Internal wiring, halyards, sheaves, and masthead fittings.
-Core damage or delamination on composite spars.
Professionals clean, inspect, lubricate, and reseal these parts properly before re-installation.
Benefit: Early detection of wear prevents catastrophic failure and saves significant money on repairs later.
PROPER MAST HANDLING , STORAGE AND RE-STEPPING:
Removing a mast isn’t just lifting it out. It’s a complex process that, if done improperly, can damage fittings, wiring, or even the spar itself.
Professional riggers:
-Use correct slings, spreaders, and lifting points.
-Label and document all standing and running rigging connections.
-Store the mast safely on padded supports, protecting finish and fittings.
-During re-stepping, they align and tension rigging according to design specs, ensuring proper mast bend, rake, and alignment.
-This ensures the yacht performs as intended and the loads are evenly distributed through the rig.
ENHANCING PERFORMANCE AND RELIABILITY:
After re-installation, riggers:
-Fine-tune shroud tension, mast bend, and sail alignment.
-Check all deck fittings, turnbuckles, and chainplates for alignment and proper sealing.
-Replace worn rigging components, split pins, or toggles as needed.
The result: smoother sailing, improved performance, and minimized risk of vibration, chafe, or premature hardware wear.
PROFESSIONAL ACCOUNTING AND WARRANTY:
A certified rigging company provides:
-A written report detailing the mast, fittings, and rigging condition.
-Recommendations for replacements or upgrades.
-Warranty on workmanship and materials used.
This gives you peace of mind that the work was done to professional standards and can be verified if issues arise later.
GET IN TOUCH WITH FORWARD RIGGING AND BOOK YOUR RIG SURVEY!
HOW A PROFESSIONAL RIGGING COMPANY WILL PERFORM YOUR RIG CHECK AND MAST TUNE PRIOR TO AN OCEAN CROSSING?
Before an ocean crossing, a professional rigging company treats a rig check and tune as a safety-critical inspection. Below is what a proper, blue-water-standard rig inspection and dock tune typically includes, step by step, and why each step matter.
PRE-INSPECTION INTERVIEW & MAST LAYOUT REVIEW
PRELIMINARY ANALYSIS:
-Boat model, year, rig layout and specifications.
-Previous rig checks , rig tunes & surveys.
-Standing rigging age
-Sail inventory
-Planned route
MAST & SPAR INSPECTION ALOFT
A professional rigger will go aloft and not inspect from deck only.
MAST & SPREADERS
-Mast extrusion or lamination (carbon spars): cracks, corrosion, dents
-Spreaders: Alignment , sweep , mast attachments (spreader roots)
-Sheaves: Wear, cracks, seized bearings
-Fittings: Tangs, Spreader brackets ( spreader roots ) , Pad Eyes , Tracks , Cars , Etc…
-Boom fittings & gooseneck
-Vang Knuckle & its attachments (Mast & Boom)
-Mast Lugs
STANDIND RIGGING INSPECTION
Each stay is inspected end to end and along.
-Wire , Rod & Composite Stays conditions.
-Stays Terminals / Fittings
-Mechanical check of terminals: Correct assembly
DECK CHAINPLATES
This is where many failures originate.
Inspection include:
-Removing covers to inspect chainplates conditions , possibly through NDT test such as Ultra-sound analysis.
RUNNING RIGGING & HARDWARE REVIEW
While not part of the Tuning, rig checks also include:
-Halyards , Sheets & Control Lines
-Clutches & Jammers
-Blocks & Sheaves
-All deck hardware ( Tracks , Cars , Furling Systems)
MAST STEP & COMPRESSION STRUCTURE
-Deck-base area or keel-base area
-Mast step & Mast base conditions
-Pumping damages signs around deck partner (mast collar)
DOCK TUNE
-Mast allignments : Column Allignment , Pre-Bend – Rake
-Standing Rigging Loads
DYNAMIC LOADS ASSESSMENT
-Mast & Rigging observation under sail
-Standing Rigging Tune during dynamic test.
This is ideal but not always possible pre-departure.
RUNNING RIGGING & HARDWARE REVIEW
While not part of the Tuning, rig checks also include:
-Halyards , Sheets & Control Lines
-Clutches & Jammers
-Blocks & Sheaves
-All deck hardware ( Tracks , Cars , Furling Systems)
WRITTEN REPORT & RECOMMENDATIONS
Written report will include:
-Condition of Spar & Standing Rigging
-Remaining service life estimate
-Mandatory vs advisory replacements
-Tune specs (for future reference)
GET IN TOUCH WITH FORWARD RIGGING AND BOOK YOUR RIG CHECK & RIG TUNE!
