Required Rigging Inspection ... what to expect?

[eliems]

My Insurance wants a rigging inspection next year with renewal. Everything on my boat is in pristine (Bristol?) condition and I am sure there is nothing wrong with the rigging.

Still I know very little about rigging, tension etc and could be easily manipulated by riggin inspection companies that also do re-installs.

Is this something generally required by insurance agencies? Do you pay for such an inspection ... is it necessary? Does rigging need to be adjusted replaced very often?

 

[Warren Milberg]

Yes, standing rigging needs to be adjusted and/or replaced now and then. How often is an open question depending on where your boat is located and how you use it. While the "typical" lifespan of standing rigging is thought to be in the 10-15 year period, most people get a lot more years out of their rigs than that. The question then becomes how safe is your rig today? A professional rigging survey should be able to tell you the condition of your rig and help you answer that question. To me, the most important aspect of such a survey is assessing the integrity of tangs and swages aloft where most people can't see them very well. The last time I had such a survey done it cost around $180 and included a tune-up of the rig. It was well worth it in terms of peace of mind when you are out there sailing in a blow.

 

[DianaOfBurlington]

A respectable local sailmaker or rigger could give you a reasonable assessment especially with regards to what the insurance company might dislike or ask you to do. If the boat is being derigged or you can get the guy to come out to briefly inspect it (like if you offer him a steak sandwich and a beer for supper, which frequently gets me to look at stuff), you may get some idea of what to expect.

 

[kappykaplan]

I had to hire a rigging surveyor (in addition to the normal marine surveyor) at the request of my insurance company when I was in the process of purchasing my boat. This was in order to get the rigging covered on the policy since the marine surveyor left us with significant questions concerning the state of the rigging. My insurance company wasn't happy with the results, so I sailed the boat up from Ft. Lauderdale with uniinsured rigging. At my 2008-2009 winter refit, I had the mast unstepped and ended up with new forestay and backstay, amongst other items. Now the insurrance company is happy and my rigging is insured. When I had the hull painted last winter, I had the boatyard reinspect the rigging, and the insurance company is still happy. Next full rig inspection will be in abou 5-6 years. Any reputable boatyard should do fine by your request