Yacht and Sailboat Rigging Inspections and Surveys

Thorough Yacht Rigging Surveys Completed In-Situ Throughout the Costa Del Sol.

Professional, hands-on inspection of all accessible standing and running rigging, rigging attachment points and chainplates, spars, mast step(s), and all blocks and fairleads results in a holistic insight to the condition of your yacht rigging.

We often find a multitude of issues in almost every rig inspected. Why? Because out of sight is out of mind, and many technicians who work aloft are not trained to work at length on ropes, therefore the work is often rushed and of a poor standard. On a weekly basis we inspect damaged wires (see photo) and swages, damaged luff spars, worn and chafed blocks with improper fastenings, chafed and degraded lines, poorly captured mast fittings, loose spreaders, and excessive corrosion. Even at deck level we see cracked chainplates, and overloaded and cracked bottlescrews, and this is on deck.

Only a Professional Yacht Rigging Survey Will Discover, Assess, Explain and Resolve/Recomend on Every Rigging Fault.

We occasionally inspect rigging installations that are completely incorrect, faulty and dangerous. In this photo the wear between a mast tang and a T terminal (which is swaged to a wire shroud) is self evident. The point loading caused by the use of incorrect fittings had caused excessive isolated wear, before the T terminal had dislodged itself. The worn groove in the T terminal causes a raised area of isolated stress which is prone to sheer. This rigging installation was only 2 years old at the time of inspection. Of course this photo highlights one of the limitations of an in situ rigging survey, and that's that load bearing surfaces cannot be fully inspected. This is why it is vital that any rigging survey is completed by hand (not by binoculars or drone). This way we can get as close as possible to detect any subtle flaws. We recommend a complete rigging inspection along with a Pre-Purchase Survey. If you are purchasing a yacht, make sure your surveyor is willing to check every part of it.

Our professional opinion is that boat and yacht rigging surveys are vitally important when purchasing a yacht, before and after an extended passage such as an ocean crossing, or following heavy weather experienced at sea. Don't let out of sight be out of mind. Understanding offers peace of mind. See what our clients have to say regarding our thorough surveys.

With IRATA (Industrial Rope Access Trade Association) qualifications yacht rigging is safely ascended, descended and traversed independently. We have a rigid safety protocol which includes using a certified climbing harness and ascending and descending equipment, safety lines, tethers, and strops. We carry a VHF radio and mobile for communication, and complete a dynamic risk assessment while undertaking our work. Our dynamic (stretchy) climbing ropes are rigged so the vessel's lines are not used where possible.

Several photos and explanatory videos shows the conscientious owner, skipper, or buyer exactly what has been inspected and assessed, and this is compiled into a holistic report which is received via WhatsApp and/or email in PDF format within one week from the inspection date. The holistic report will be a valuable document to keep aboard, and which a maintenance schedule can be modelled around. It will be suitable for the insurers request a rigging report.

We actively work alongside professional riggers No Limits Rigging of Almerimar, Almeria. As highly trained surveyors, riggers and experienced sailors our sole aim is improving your safety at sea.

The cost for a holistic yacht rigging inspection depends on the size of the vessel and number of masts, as well as any extra time taken to replace parts where necessary. Call or send a message if you have any questions about rig surveys and wish to receive a quote.