Why do I need to check the rig?
Here are the four main reasons......
Safety
Save Money
Insurance
Yacht Value
Safety
Checking your rig on a regular basis is an important aspect of yacht/boat maintenance, just like servicing your engine, changing the anodes and antifouling. However, it is perhaps one of the items on a boat which is frequently neglected, sometimes resulting in a sudden and catastrophic dismast. This apparent apathy, is partly due to the difficulties in checking the various components, ascending the mast and so forth and partly due to the lack of knowledge in what to look for.
Even with the best will in the world and an expert eye, a thorough visual inspection of your shroud/stay terminations will not reveal all the potential weaknesses lurking in your rig. Because of this, some people recommend replacing the entire rig on a regular basis, typically every ten years. Why ten years? That is not clear, it appears to be a completely arbitrary figure not based on any kind of objective facts. Indeed the condition of the rig will depend on a number of factors, including, what use the boat has had, what type of use the boat has had (offshore cruising, racing, blue water etc), where the boat has been kept, whether the mast is stepped for winter, etc. It's not just age and usage that can affect the integrity of the rig. Many people have a story, about the owner who decided he would renew the rig just because he thought it would be a good idea, only to have a failure in the first season. Why? Because the quality of materials used, the workmanship and the tools used for assembly, are also a factor.
Arguably rig failure resulting in a dismast, is one of the worst things that could happen whilst out at sea, perhaps resulting in serious injury, or even worse, the loss of a life.RigCheck can improve safety by helping to prevent a dismast.
Save Money
Changing the entire rig, stainless steel ropes, swaged/swageless terminals etc., can be an expensive business running into several thousand pounds. Things can go wrong but generally speaking the old adage "don't fix it unless it's broke" seems to make eminent sense. You wouldn't dream of changing the entire engine just because the water pump had failed. Why then change the complete rig "just in case". Far better to check and test the various components and replace the faulty parts only when necessary.
RigCheck can help you save money because you only replace the failing components - not the entire rig.
Insurance
Should the worst happen and you suffer a dismasting, are you confident your insurance will cover you? Most insurance companies have a "catch all" clause which will place responsibility on the owner to maintain their yacht in a seaworthy condition. Clauses such as: "The assured shall at all times exercise due diligence to maintain the Vessel in a seaworthy condition....." or: "You have taken all reasonable steps to maintain and keep Your boat and all its gear and equipment in a proper state of repair and seaworthiness; and You have taken all reasonable steps to protect Your insured property from loss or damage."
So if the mast does come down due to rig failure, how do you prove it has been properly maintained? Some insurance companies may not accept liability if you cannot show due diligence.RigCheck helps show that you have met your insurance obligations.
Yacht Value
When it comes to selling your yacht, you will want to present it in the most favorable light. Perspective purchasers will be looking for evidence that the yacht is in good condition. Being able to present a detailed report showing that the rig has been tested will help show you are a responsible owner and give the perspective purchaser confidence. At the very least it will prevent the perspective purchaser trying to reduce the price, because of the unknown state of the rig. Alternatively the perspective purchaser may ask for the rig to be inspected/tested, which will inevitably introduce delays into the transaction, allowing the perspective purchaser to look at other yachts, possibly losing you a sale. Likewise, when you are looking to purchase a yacht, ask the seller for evidence as to the condition of the rig.
RigCheck helps show you have maintained your yacht in a good condition, therefore increasing its potential resale value.
Photo Courtesy of: www.kihlborg.se
What are the failure mechanisms and how can they be spotted early?
When and how often should I check the rig?