Tips on preparing your rig for an ocean crossing

How to prepare your rig for an ocean crossing

Whether you’re gearing up for a transatlantic passage, joining an offshore rally, or setting out on a circumnavigation, the integrity of your yacht’s rig is one of the most important foundations for a safe and enjoyable voyage. Unlike weekend cruising, bluewater sailing exposes your yacht to sustained loading, ocean swell, and relentless fatigue. Even small flaws in rigging or fittings can escalate into major failures unless the system is properly prepared and monitored throughout your journey.

To help you prepare, we spoke with Neil Brinsdon, Managing Director at Advanced Rigging & Hydraulics, who has supported countless ARC and World ARC yachts. His advice focuses on practical steps to ensure your rig is ocean-ready.

Pre-departure: 
Professional inspection and planning

A comprehensive inspection by a qualified rigger is strongly recommended before setting off. Many insurers now require written proof of this before providing offshore cover. Ideally, schedule the check at your home port, so you have time to complete any necessary work.

The scope of inspection depends on your rig’s age and history. Newer rigs with clear service records may need only a thorough visual inspection, while older systems often justify a full mast unstepping and rig-out survey. This allows riggers to examine mast steps, sheaves, internal wiring, and hidden areas prone to corrosion.

Where possible, be present during the inspection. It’s a chance to gain valuable hands-on understanding of your rig. Ask questions, take notes, and secure a written report. This not only helps guide future maintenance but can be vital for insurance or warranty purposes. A secondary check closer to departure is also a wise precaution, particularly if you’ve sailed or adjusted the rig since the main inspection.

Spares, tools, and emergency readiness

Once offshore, you and your crew become your own support system. A well-stocked spares kit and reliable tools are essential. Carry an assortment of split pins, clevis pins, shackles, lashings, mechanical terminals, Dyneema strops, rigging tape, spare halyards, and friction rings. Equally important are tools you can trust. Keep bolt croppers, spanners, screwdrivers, and adjustable wrenches clean, rust-free, and accessible. Think practically about where you’ll easily find them when the boat is rolling in heavy seas.

You should also prepare for the possibility of a mast climb at sea. While never ideal, it may be necessary. Practice climbing in port, establish clear communication protocols, and check all climbing equipment carefully. Before departure, photograph key rig points - masthead, spreaders, gooseneck - so you have a reference for comparison at sea.

Final deck-level check before departure

In the days leading up to departure, conduct a full deck-level rig check with your crew. Walk through standing and running rigging, furling systems, chainplates, turnbuckles, and fittings from bow to stern. A yacht-specific checklist is invaluable.

Ensure all fasteners are tight, cotter pins correctly fitted and taped, and halyards inspected for chafing at clutches, sheaves, and points of friction. Watch for UV damage, corrosion, or unexpected movement in fittings. Confirm turnbuckles and sheaves operate smoothly under load.

Routine checks underway

Daily checks at sea are your best defence against failure. These don’t need to be lengthy - five minutes at each watch change can reveal early warning signs.

Encourage all crew members to take part. Use binoculars to check mastheads and spreaders, run hands along shrouds to detect strand breaks, and listen for unfamiliar vibrations.

Lines and hardware that were static in port are now constantly moving. Pay close attention to reefing systems, preventers, and boom control lines, where repetitive trade-wind motion can cause rapid chafing. Catching problems early prevents small issues from becoming inconvenient failures.

Post-passage inspection

On arrival, before you relax with a well-deserved beer, inspect your rig again. Use your original checklist and compare notes and photographs. Look for elongation in terminals, fresh movement in deck fittings, or wear in halyards and sheaves. Document any changes, and if you’re continuing, plan repairs before the next leg.

This is also the time to reflect on how your systems performed under true ocean conditions, and note any improvements for future passages.

In summary, a seaworthy rig is not the result of luck - it’s the outcome of planning, professional expertise, and disciplined maintenance. And remember,  when you’re weeks from shore, prevention is always better than cure. A well-prepared rig is the foundation of both performance and safety offshore.

For further technical advice from Neil and his team, for rigging products, or for professional inspections, visit: advancedrigging.co.uk