The Often-Overlooked but Crucial Step in Sailing Preparations: Rig Checks

Every sailing adventure should commence with a meticulous pre-departure checklist. From ensuring all safety equipment is in place, checking the weather forecasts, to examining the charts, these steps are undeniably important. Nevertheless, one check seems to be more important than the rest, yet often overlooked by sailors - the rig check.

Many sailors might believe they can avoid potential accidents by just having safety equipment onboard and a functioning engine. However, ignoring rig checks can create dangerous situations, leading to rig failures that put everyone onboard in immediate danger. Rig failures are not only risky but also astronomically expensive to repair.

The importance of rigging checks got highlighted by John Keane of Oyster 595 Alpenglow, currently on the Oyster World Rally. He confirmed that knowing their dock tune was accurate took a great deal of stress off their preparation for the rally.

One such innovation is the digital dock tune using Cyclops load monitoring system. Directly purchasing a boat from the manufacturer usually means it comes tuned to the recommended settings. But, the rig tune will inevitably change, especially after its maiden voyage. This is where the digital dock tune proves its worth. It allows sailors to quickly return the rig to the manufacturer’s recommended settings by adjusting it while monitoring the tension through their onboard screens.

The system also functions through a smartphone app, transforming a potentially hours-long manual check into a quick, easy yet thorough check.

Although everything may seem ideal at the dock, conditions often change once the sails go up, especially on brand new yachts. Implementing a digital dock tune using Cyclops load monitoring system significantly reduces the frequency of problems, ensuring a safe, enjoyable, and adventurous experience for all onboard.