Mast, rigging and sails
Inspecting the mast, the rigging and the sails makes sense before the season, after buying a boat or once you notice wear, play or damage. First separate the structural parts, the rigging and the sails, because their condition and the way they are assessed differ.
The scope can cover inspecting the mast and its fittings, assessing the standing and running rigging, and the condition of the sails and the hardware. A safe decision needs information about the age of the components, the symptoms and the history of any work; the view from the deck does not always allow the attachment points to be assessed.
When not to put the assessment off
Fraying lines, corrosion at the terminals, play in the fittings, cracks in the section or worrying noises under load are a signal to stop trying to tune the rig yourself and to have the part checked. Do not assume that rig tension will solve mechanical damage.
What to prepare for the assessment
- photos of the mast, the fittings, the shroud terminals and the places with visible wear,
- information about the age of the rigging and the last replacement, if known,
- a description of the symptoms, the type of boat and whether the mast is stepped.
What affects the scope and the initial quote
What matters is access to the mast, the number and type of components, their condition and whether the problem concerns a single part or the whole system. An initial quote based on photos does not replace assessing the places you cannot reach from the deck and may change after an inspection.