Mast and Sails
Rigging a Small Sailboat for Singlehanded and Solo Sailing
Setting up a small sailboat for singlehanded sailing can make sail handling safer, easier and more efficient from the cockpit. In this video, I cover practical upgrades for solo sailing, including leading halyards and control lines aft, roller furling, a topping lift, tiller tamer and improved nighttime visibility. I also discuss selecting sailboat rope and line sizes, cleats, blocks, shackles and rigging hardware, along with planning future mast and halyard upgrades. These modifications are useful whether you’re sailing alone or simply want a small sailboat that’s easier to handle with a short-handed crew.
How to Step a Sailboat Mast and Install Roller Furling
Stepping a sailboat mast and setting up the standing and running rigging correctly are critical before launching a restored or newly rigged sailboat. In this video, I show how I re-step the mast, tension the rigging and install a CDI Flexible Furler FF2 roller furling system on a small sailboat. I also cover routing the furling line with blocks and fairleads, arranging deck hardware for singlehanded sailing, and making the final rigging adjustments needed before launch and sea trials.
Inspecting and Repairing Sailboat Masts and Rigging
Sailboat rigging should be carefully inspected before an older or restored boat goes back into service. In this video, I show how to inspect, clean, repair and upgrade the mast and rigging on a small sailboat, including checking shrouds, spreaders and hardware for wear or damage. I explain standing versus running rigging, replacing damaged hardware, preventing galvanic corrosion, selecting proper stainless-steel components, and choosing halyards, sheets and control lines. I also cover preparing the mast for reassembly and planning the rigging for a roller furling system and singlehanded sailing.
Removing, Inspecting and Restoring an Aluminum Diesel Fuel Tank
Old or undersized deck hardware and rigging can become a safety problem on an aging fiberglass sailboat. In this video, I show how to inspect and upgrade critical sailboat rigging hardware, including fabricating and installing new stainless-steel chain-plates, adding sailboat winches and replacing plastic cleats with stronger metal hardware. I also cover proper through-bolting, backing plates, marine sealant, midship cleats and mounting techniques for stronger, more reliable deck fittings during a DIY sailboat restoration.