Rigging Inspections
Professional sailboat rigging inspections for insurance requirements, pre-purchase, offshore preparation and peace of mind — with written reports and travel available wherever your boat is located.
Insurance companies are paying closer attention to the age and condition of sailboat standing rigging. Depending on the boat and insurer, you may be asked to provide a current professional inspection or written documentation of the rig’s condition.
A standard marine survey may not go far enough. Many surveys evaluate the rig from deck level, while a dedicated rigging inspection allows a professional rigger to go aloft and closely examine the mast, standing rigging, fittings and related hardware.
C.L. Rigging provides thorough inspections with written findings and photographs for insurance, pre-purchase, offshore preparation or general peace of mind.
Why Inspect
C.L. Rigging provides professional rigging inspections and written reports documenting rig condition, areas of concern and recommended corrective action.
Acceptance and specific documentation requirements are determined by the individual insurance carrier.
A pre-purchase rigging inspection provides a focused evaluation of the mast and rigging, with written findings on condition, maintenance and potential repairs.
Before offshore sailing or an extended passage, a rig inspection can identify wear, corrosion and damaged components that should be addressed before departure.
A professional rig inspection can identify corrosion, fatigue, wear and damaged fittings before they become bigger problems.
A general marine survey and a professional rigging inspection serve different purposes.
A standard survey may evaluate the visible condition of the rig from deck level, while a dedicated rigging inspection allows a professional rigger to take a much closer look at the mast, fittings and components aloft.
What We Inspect
Depending on the boat, rig and scope of the inspection, C.L. Rigging evaluates components including:
The Report
Following the inspection, C.L. Rigging provides a written inspection report documenting the condition of the rig, identified concerns and recommended next steps, with photographs where appropriate.
Understand the rig before you buy.
Document its current condition.
Prioritize what needs attention now and what can wait.
Establish a record for future inspections and maintenance.
Travel
C.L. Rigging is headquartered at Bert Jabin Yacht Yard in Annapolis, Maryland, with rigging inspection services available throughout the Chesapeake Bay and beyond.
Your boat doesn’t need to come to us. C.L. Rigging travels for inspections.
Whether the boat is across the Bay or farther afield, contact C.L. Rigging with the boat’s location and inspection needs to discuss scheduling and travel.
C.L. Rigging is owner-operated by Collin Linehan, whose experience includes more than 75,000 miles sailed and raced, a background as both a sailmaker and professional rigger, and thousands of rigging projects completed for hundreds of customers.
That experience provides a practical understanding of how the mast, standing rigging, sails, hardware and the boat itself work together.
FAQ
A professional inspection is worth considering when purchasing a boat, preparing for offshore sailing, responding to an insurance request, after significant weather or loading, when the history or age of the rig is unknown, or anytime you have concerns about its condition. Professional inspection becomes particularly important as standing rigging ages.
No. A marine survey evaluates the vessel as a whole. A dedicated rigging inspection focuses specifically on the mast, standing rigging, fittings and related components and may include going aloft for a closer inspection.
Yes. C.L. Rigging provides written findings documenting the condition of the rig, identified areas of concern and recommended next steps, with photographs where appropriate.
Some insurers are asking sailboat owners to provide more specific documentation about the age and condition of their standing rigging, particularly on older boats. A general marine survey may not include a detailed aloft inspection of the mast, fittings and standing rigging, so a separate inspection by a professional rigger may be required.
C.L. Rigging can provide documentation of the rig’s condition for insurance purposes. Individual insurance companies determine their own inspection and documentation requirements, so any specific requirements from your carrier should be provided before the inspection.
Yes. A pre-purchase rigging inspection can supplement a general marine survey by providing a more focused evaluation of the mast and rigging.
No. C.L. Rigging is based in Annapolis and travels for rigging inspections throughout the Chesapeake Bay region and beyond. Contact us with the boat’s location to discuss scheduling.
Whether you need an inspection for peace of mind, pre-purchase, insurance or offshore preparation, start with a conversation about your boat.