How to check your rigging - Yachting Monthly

A screwdriver, a straight edge and a good set of eyes are all that’s required for a basic rig check. Gordon Bonney, of Performance Rigging, explains.
Our How To video series is brought to you in association with www.gjwdirect.com
----
Subscribe to Yachting Monthly's RUclips channel at: / yachtingmonthly
Subscribe to the magazine at: www.yachtingmonthly.com/subsc...
Read more sailing articles at: www.yachtingmonthly.com/
Like our Facebook page at: / yachtingmonthlymag
Follow us on Twitter at: / yachtingmonthly
Follow us on Instagram at: / yachtingmonthlymag

[@WillN2Go1]

Good video. The autopsy table of dead bits and bobs was a huge education. I really appreciate that. I have a better idea what to look for.
A good tool to have would be a good quality inspection mirror (on a stick) so when you're hanging on the halyard at the top of the mast, you can inspect the sides of the parts you can't see. Even at the chain plate attachment on the deck, a mirror would give you a look at things no one has looked at (because they never laid down on the deck and looked up.)
Also I realize you have to be systematic, you have to know what you're looking for. I've been over the rigging on my 20 year old boat, I've even been up the mast -- briefly. I realize from this video that I've been looking for rust but mostly I've just been seeing just how amazingly good it all still is. That's not an inspection. I think you have to look for the signs of wear, if on 20 year old rigging you don't see any at all -- you may be in good shape or you may just be looking but not seeing.
I'd suggest shooting photos or video, but more than likely the critical bits will be motion blurred or out of focus.
Something else on my boat. The previous owner was very meticulous. No sign of any rust anywhere on the stays. When I went up in the bosun's chair, at the first spreader there is some rust on the cables. This was reassuring because it was just a haze. So all that polishing down below hadn't hidden anything.

[@ciudadgilera]

Honestly now I know on what to look when inspecting my boat. Thank you for your time

[@LydieBaillie]

excellent information I can definitely use to check my mast while it's down. The display of worn and corroded bits is very useful. Thank you

[@valentynsabulis2858]

Thank you!

[@danielswords3969]

A wonderful series! Thanks.

[@paulgillard2258]

Best explanation so far thanks

[@AfricanFlightStar]

Excellent advice thank you! 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@ivok496]

Very interesting and informative video. Many thanks!

[@dato6490]

That’s really awesome, thanks!

[@sailingyoumeandjosapea6770]

That was great 👍

[@saturday7]

Informative, good presentation, thank you.

[@ollinummela5255]

Thank you, good info

[@johnwilliams1459]

Thank you

[@FatDaddyG]

Thank You! Great video with some excellent content. I’ll be looking for something similar for early 80’s boat/mast.

[@kevinswinden4882]

Thanks for this very informative. Love the dartboard !

[@hotsauce1646]

Thanks

[@JohannesNeumeier]

Great info, ... and that chamber of horrors :O

[@jasonandrewismail2029]

while you were showing the damaged parts it appears to me that they are not made to last and the way they are supposed to fit ends up damaging them... i am a newby in this

[@edwardfinn4141]

Excellent video, first showing potential failures , then showing some actual failures.
Nevertheless, I’m not sure I subscribe to the general insurance recommendation of replacing the standing every 10 years…

[@valentynsabulis2858]

Thank you!