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Inspect your rigging to prevent failures on the water.
CAPTAIN FRANK BARRON
Surveyor's Angle
Surveyor's Angle
Do you feel it? That sea breeze is kicking up! Wind breakers are put away, sunscreen is out, so let's yank up the sails and go! Sorry power boaters - our sailor friends have an extra means of propulsion I need to address.
Generally masts, booms and rigging are ignored until something catastrophic happens or is impending. Let's take a look at the running and standing rigging in a general walk-around type inspection. It's a good idea make this a habit for pre-sail
inspection and use it every
time.
Is your boat on a trailer where you can access all the upper components? Or has it been in the water all winter long? Either way we'll learn what critical items we need to inspect and take action on.
First wash the boat and all that you can reach; dirt can hide bad things. Then let's just take a look at the rigging as it stands. Is it straight? Does the mast seem "bent" or leaning to port or starboard, fore or aft? If your boat is small enough you might be able to tune it to a more proper station. Note: some rigs are meant to be "raked" (usually leaning aft). For larger boats, a rigging tuneup specialist is recommended. But we can do a lot ourselves to prevent problems later. Anyway, just take some time and walk around. The longer you take, the more you'll see. Get your binoculars out and follow each shroud and stay to the top, check spreaders, attachments and any accessories at the top. Are all
Is your boat on a trailer where you can access all the upper components? Or has it been in the water all winter long? Either way we'll learn what critical items we need to inspect and take action on.
First wash the boat and all that you can reach; dirt can hide bad things. Then let's just take a look at the rigging as it stands. Is it straight? Does the mast seem "bent" or leaning to port or starboard, fore or aft? If your boat is small enough you might be able to tune it to a more proper station. Note: some rigs are meant to be "raked" (usually leaning aft). For larger boats, a rigging tuneup specialist is recommended. But we can do a lot ourselves to prevent problems later. Anyway, just take some time and walk around. The longer you take, the more you'll see. Get your binoculars out and follow each shroud and stay to the top, check spreaders, attachments and any accessories at the top. Are all
Generally masts, booms and rigging are ignored until something catastrophic happens or is impending.
lights, antennas and weather instruments standing properly? You might need to loft or if there are any concerns, hire a professional to loft and inspect.
Walk closer until you're right next to the hull at the bow. Look closely at the roller furling, look for dinks in the stays. Is there any rust on the deck or hull? Are the swegs properly pinned to the fitting? Continue to starboard. Check the chain plates as they join the hull or deck fittings and go below to see if you can access them visually. Look for water stains or any structure issues. Be very discriminating!
Continue around the hull checking all genoa tracks and cars; look for any separation off the deck. Are all stops in place and secured? Do they travel easily and lock and unlock easily? Going aft, check the aft stay for any dinks, rust, and proper pinnings to the deck fitting. Keep going and do the same for the port side. While you're walking around look at the hull and rails for damage. Remember, sailing competitively can be a contact sport.
Now let's look at the mast area. Start at the base of the mast. Is there any separation? Is the boot secure and tight? Continue up the mast. Is it pitted with corrosion? Is it loose? Look at the goosenecks and outhauls. Look at all fittings; are they tight and secure too? All rivets properly seated? Check for play in the sheaves. A little is okay but you'll feel it if there's an excess. Are the boom and any other spars clean and free of debris?
For those with a dismounted mast, you have an advantage in that you can get a closeup inspection of the top of the
Walk closer until you're right next to the hull at the bow. Look closely at the roller furling, look for dinks in the stays. Is there any rust on the deck or hull? Are the swegs properly pinned to the fitting? Continue to starboard. Check the chain plates as they join the hull or deck fittings and go below to see if you can access them visually. Look for water stains or any structure issues. Be very discriminating!
Continue around the hull checking all genoa tracks and cars; look for any separation off the deck. Are all stops in place and secured? Do they travel easily and lock and unlock easily? Going aft, check the aft stay for any dinks, rust, and proper pinnings to the deck fitting. Keep going and do the same for the port side. While you're walking around look at the hull and rails for damage. Remember, sailing competitively can be a contact sport.
Now let's look at the mast area. Start at the base of the mast. Is there any separation? Is the boot secure and tight? Continue up the mast. Is it pitted with corrosion? Is it loose? Look at the goosenecks and outhauls. Look at all fittings; are they tight and secure too? All rivets properly seated? Check for play in the sheaves. A little is okay but you'll feel it if there's an excess. Are the boom and any other spars clean and free of debris?
For those with a dismounted mast, you have an advantage in that you can get a closeup inspection of the top of the
mast. Use this opportunity to see the things that are stressed with raising and lowering the mast repeatedly. Be very careful to never allow a stay or shroud to be kinked; this reduces the strength greatly.
Go to the shrouds and stays. Get a piece of cotton or nylon stocking and gently wipe the wire as far as you can (Never with your bare hand) and check for J-hooks, evidence that the wire has separated and has diminished strength. Rigging that is discolored or rusted should be replaced. Look at swegs and mechanical terminals.
Do the winches turn freely with the proper sound? Are the sheets and halyards in good shape? Run them up and down to check for ease of movement. Do they flow easily in and out of the exit blocks? Make sure there are no frays or chaffng anywhere, but if so, replace them. There is never a convenient time for this to fail.
So there we have it. A simple check list to inspect the deck and rigging of your sailboat - add to it or adjust as your needs require. Now go! Enjoy the breeze!
Captain Frank Barron is a USCG 100Gt Master and SAMS surveyor. When not surveying, delivering, instructing or conducting charters along the US East Coast, Caribbean, and Bermuda, he and his wife, Lynne, (also a USCG Capt) spend a lot of time continually restoring their 1958 48' wooden Wheeler on Jekyll Island, GA. Frank and Lynne Barron III Blue Water Marine Services,LLC www.bluewatermarinesurveys.com wfbarron3@gmail.com • 706-331-8260
Go to the shrouds and stays. Get a piece of cotton or nylon stocking and gently wipe the wire as far as you can (Never with your bare hand) and check for J-hooks, evidence that the wire has separated and has diminished strength. Rigging that is discolored or rusted should be replaced. Look at swegs and mechanical terminals.
Do the winches turn freely with the proper sound? Are the sheets and halyards in good shape? Run them up and down to check for ease of movement. Do they flow easily in and out of the exit blocks? Make sure there are no frays or chaffng anywhere, but if so, replace them. There is never a convenient time for this to fail.
So there we have it. A simple check list to inspect the deck and rigging of your sailboat - add to it or adjust as your needs require. Now go! Enjoy the breeze!
Captain Frank Barron is a USCG 100Gt Master and SAMS surveyor. When not surveying, delivering, instructing or conducting charters along the US East Coast, Caribbean, and Bermuda, he and his wife, Lynne, (also a USCG Capt) spend a lot of time continually restoring their 1958 48' wooden Wheeler on Jekyll Island, GA. Frank and Lynne Barron III Blue Water Marine Services,LLC www.bluewatermarinesurveys.com wfbarron3@gmail.com • 706-331-8260