Hands-On Rig Refit
Join us in Annapolis, MD in October to help refit ISBJORN’s rig, learn about rig design and get hands-on practice with real stakes on the line. This is a very rare opportunity to learn real-world, high-stakes, hands-on rigging, and then see the results of your work on the water. No experience or tools required.
Since we installed a new wire rig in 2015, our Swan 48 has sailed over 40,000 miles in the past five years. In 2019 and 2020 the rig started showing signs of the hard use to put it through - a broken headstay fitting one day out from Tortola last fall, and a broken wire strand discovered in Bermuda in July. Time to replace! Schedule will include three distinct sessions, see below for details.
Note: we are close to capacity for ALL sessions. There are 2 SPOTS LEFT for the de-rigging session. Please do apply though for what you want, and we’ll try to make the puzzle pieces work! We’re off the grid until early September, so thanks for your patience in our reply!
What You’ll Learn
Why did ISBJORN’s rig start failing? Age v. mileage, metal fatigue, swage design, etc.
Wire rig versus Dux rig: Pros, Cons, design considerations & maintenance
How to plan for a re-rig: attendees will have access to planning emails between Colligo, Mike Meer & rig parts suppliers to see the process first-hand.
How to prep a mast & boom for removal by crane
How to inspect a rig thoroughly when it’s on the ground
How to carefully disassemble a rig for further inspection, remove seized fasteners, etc.
How to design a rig for use with Colligo Dux synthetic rigging
How to splice Dyneema and Colligo Dux 12-strand braided rope
Rig design theory - continuous v. discontinous, load calculation, etc.
Assembling a rig properly to avoid corrosion, chafe, etc.
Tuning a rig, both static (at the dock), and dynamic (under sail)
Essential tools to keep onboard for rigging work
…and MUCH more!
Colligo Dux
This time, with the help of our friends at Colligo Marine we’re going full synthetic! This requires a different way of thinking and will require us to re-design parts of the rig. Colligo Dux needs to be installed ‘continuous’ as opposed to ‘discontinuous’ (how ISBJORN’s current wire rig is configured). So we’ll add a chainplate on deck and re-work the spreader end fittings to accommodate the change. Our old friend Mike Meer will be back in town to help with the rig project, which will happen at Port Annapolis Marina, our homeport on the Chesapeake!
Very limited space available due to COVID-19, but all events will be outside. Prices for each session are listed in the application form & in the schedule below.
Apply
Application deadline Sept. 1. You will get a reply from us by Sept. 10. We are off the grid through end of August, out sailing!
SCHEDULE
Sept. 28/29/30: Pull the rig, begin Disassembly & Re-design ($500). This is a good opportunity to see how we work with the crane at Port Annapolis, safely remove the rig, and begin disassembly and re-design for the synthetic install.
Oct. 12-16: Colligo Dux rig Re-assembly & Static Rig Tune ($500). Once the design work is complete, we’ll start putting it all back together with synthetic Colligo Dux, and aim to step the mast by Friday October 16 and do the initial rig tune at the dock.
Oct. 17/18: Shakedown Sailing & Dynamic Rig Tune ($250/day). We’ll fine-tune the rig at the dock, then go out sailing for a few hours each day to work out the kinks and complete the ‘dynamic’ rig tune at sea, once the new rig is loaded up under sail.
Note: you do not need to attend every day of each session. Sessions will be flexible based on weather & how quickly we get the work done. If we work faster, there will be more time for theory & classroom stuff.
Andy & Mike Meer pulling ISBJORN’s rig in 2015 at Port Annapolis Marina.
