Yacht Standing & Running Rigging Course
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Learn about all things standing and running rigging with this two-day course in Southampton. It’s a one-day course with no previous knowledge required, just an interest in what keeps you mast and sails doing what they do best.
- Two-day course in Southampton
- Complete guidance from expert instructor
- Learn essential skills in yacht rigging and rope splicing
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Fun and Interesting
I attended a one day Rigging and Rope Splicing Course with First Class Sailing. The course was fun and informative, and motivated me to delve into the material we covered in more depth - after all, we are not always in a position to call on the professionals when out sailing. The trainer, made the course interesting from the start. His training style was relaxed, and the course contained the right amount of information, combined with hands on practice
Chris C
Verified Customer
This two-day rigging course will improve your knowledge of all the gear that allow us to set sail.
If you charter a boat you should always cast your eye over the rig and lines. Knowing what to look out for is an important part of keeping you and your family safe.
If you own your own boat then you'll want to keep everything in good order. You may want or have to do some rigging maintenance yourself or at least want to know what your speaking to your rigger about.
This course covers the mast, the standing rigging (wires and bottle screws that support it); the running rigging (ropes), the fittings running rigging passes through and the winches that allow us to pull the sails against the huge force of the wind.
We will go over how to inspect a rig, splicing rope - 3 strand, braid on braid and Dyneema, riveting and winch servicing,
Splicing rope is one of the oldest seafaring skills and it is still very much relevant today.
The cause is designed to give you a working knowledge of all the above deck gear that keeps your yacht sailing and is taught by instructors highly experienced in the field.
5.0 based on 496 Happy Customers on Tripadvisor
RYA-certified sailing courses
5.0 based on 220 Happy Customers on Google Reviews
More Info on the Standing and Running Rigging Course
Learn a huge amount: The course will cover different types of mast, rigging inspections, reefing systems, splicing, winch servicing, riveting and much more besides.
Great location: Our Yacht Rigging and Rope Splicing Course is based at our classrooms in Shamrock Quay, Southampton. There is parking and access to plenty of materials to get your hands on.
Friendly experienced instructors: Learn from the best with our team of friendly and experienced instructors. With a wealth of knowledge and a passion for teaching, our instructors are dedicated to creating a supportive and enjoyable learning environment for students of all skill levels.
Key Course Details
Here’s a breakdown of the most important information about the Yacht Standing & Running Rigging Course:
Required Experience
- There are no prerequisites to taking the Yacht Rigging and Rope Splicing Course
Course Duration / Location
- 2 days
- Shamrock Quay, Southampton
- 10min taxi from the train station
Course Content
The course covers:
- Types of mast, terminology and the theory behind them
- Rig inspections and what to look out for
- Running Rigging, furling & reefing systems
- Winch servicing and deck equipment servicing
- Riveting, rig tunning, wire connections
- Splicing and rope care
Skills Gained
- A working knowledge of rigs & rigging
- Splicing skills
- Gear servicing
Get Started In 3 Easy Steps
An understanding of yacht rigging practices and rope splicing techniques.
Select A Date
Choose a date that suits you. Get in touch with our friendly team if you have any questions.
Book
Book online, via email or over the phone
Become A Pro Sailor
Learn new skills and set sail with confidence in how to keep your gear in safe working order.
Yacht Rigging and Rope Splicing -
Complete Breakdown
Course Content
The Yacht Rigging Course will be broken up into a number of targeted sessions each covering an interesting subject area. These sessions will be both theoretical and hands-on with amble opportunity to engage with our highly experienced instructor.
Sessions include
- Rigging lingo, mast types, terminology
- Rig inspections, signs of damage/fatigue and maintenance
- Running rigging, furling and reefing systems
- Winch and deck gear servicing
- Rig tuning, riveting and types of connection/termination
- Splicing, whipping & rope care
There is a lot to fill the two days with and plenty of equipment to get to grips with.
Course Content Continued
To look more closely at what these entail they will be set into easy and manageable sections.
SPLICING – At first, I thought this was just a rope, turns out it’s knot. We will cover
- Dyneema ropes, one of the strongest ropes available on the market today, we will teach you how to create endless loops, Brummel splices and soft shackles. You will be able to keep some of your workmanship to take home and show your friends and family. Or, just put it in a drawer and forget about it, we don’t mind!
- Whipping rope ends – specifically a Yale Whiplock which is the recommended method of finishing braided rope slices and rope ends
- Demonstration of how to tie an eye splice
RIVETING – it even sounds riveting, doesn’t it?
- Drilling and riveting standard rivets
- Drilling and riveting rivet nuts, we will teach you the difference between the two and how to identify when you would use each of them.
WINCH SERVICING – Yes, ship just got reel!
- Dismantling a winch
- Maintenance and repairs on winches
- Reassembling a winch
Trivia: Splicing the Mainbrace
Interesting fact: 'Splice the Mainbrace' - On a square-rigged vessel of old, splicing the mainbrace was one of the harder jobs and it became traditional for the crew to be given some grog after completing the task.
The mainbrace controls the yard arms and is the longest line on board. In battle it was not uncommon for an enemy ship to aim at the mainbrace. If the mainbrace rope got severed then its two ends would have to be tidied up and spliced back together with maybe a bit of new line splicied in to keep it's original length.
Nowadays the expression Splice the Mainbrace is a euphemism for a celebratory drink. Cheers!
Can you spot the main brace on this raggedy ship?
Example Itinerary
Day 1
Session 1: Types of mast & rigging, rigging nomenclature
Session 2: Rig inspections, signs of damage/fatigue & rig maintenance
Session 3: Running rigging, furling & reefing systems
Session 4: Dyneema splicing
Day 2
Session 5: Covered eye splice
Session 6: Winch & deck gear servicing
Session 7: Rig tuning, riveting & types of connection/termination
Session 8: Soft shackles, loops, whipping
*This is an example itinerary and the order and contents may differ slightly
What Sailors Say About Us
5.0 based on 601 Happy Customers On Tripadvisor 
5.0 based on 356 Happy Customers On Google ReviewsNon technical
Not a course designed by RYA, but was excellent and gave a good insight in what to look for when understanding and inspecting your rigging. Course leader was a professional rigger so was able to explain in a non technical way how rigging works and what to look for. The afternoon was spent with practical teaching of various splices and whipping. Well worth doing and would recommend.
Mr C
Verified Customer
Very practical and valuable information about the safety checks and wear /tear inspections of a typical sailing vessel’s standing as well as running rigging. This is extremely important as it might mean a safe passage versus a catastrophic one not to mention a very costly outcome unless one is diligent about it. Then there was a very useful and fun part which was rope splicing. It was a hands on and guided tuition at the end of which we did three different types of rope splicing. The point of this was to understand the basic principles of splicing and be able to practice more by following some YouTube videos or books. I very much benefited from it.
T.A, UK
Verified Customer
Practised what we learnt
Attended the Rigging & Splicing class. Great information and plenty of time for practising what was learned. Highly recommended for sailors who want to know more about their boat.
Steve L, UK
Verified Customer
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Ready to do your Yacht Rigging and Rope Splicing Course
Learn about Yacht Rigging and Rope Splicing on this informative and fun course.
- Learn in a classroom with other students
- Friendly and knowledgeable instructor
- 1-Day classes in Southampton
Demystified
Great rigging and splicing course. DE mystified a lot of stuff, and I'm now able to splice my own lines!
Rob C
Verified Customer
Ready to do your Yacht Rigging and Rope Splicing Course
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