Rigging in north Queensland

[Trevor Doble]

We are looking at purchasing a Lagoon 380 S2 which has 14 year old standing rigging, so for insurance purposes we need to get her re-rigged. After much chasing down of riggers in Cairns and Townsville, it seems that they are all either sailing, super busy or out of action for one reason or another.

We don't want to move the boat too far with rigging uninsured, so short of flying someone up from down south, I was wondering if anyone has any suggestions. If you can recommend any riggers in north Queensland it would be much appreciated.

[arsenelupiga]

lagoon rigging is substantial and 14 years may well be just fine. That opens option for you to get it inspected by insurance approved rigger, if you find no better option. In this case i would climb mast myself first to see how is all looking. any cracks or hair cracks, is bad news.

[Trevor Doble]

Thanks arsenelupiga. The boat has been very lightly used and the rigging looks to be in great condition. I would be happy to have it inspected by an insurance approved rigger, but my understanding is in Australia they will not insure any rigging over 10 years old.

However, I will certainly go back to the insurers and ask the question again!

Appreciate your input.

[Alan Mighty]

Originally Posted by Trevor Doble

The boat has been very lightly used and the rigging looks to be in great condition. I would be happy to have it inspected by an insurance approved rigger, but my understanding is in Australia they will not insure any rigging over 10 years old.

QLDers own only about 6,000 registered sailing yachts.

That's not enough to support many specialist riggers.

And even fewer riggers who are prepared to write an inspection report.*

For good reasons, including that failure of 1 x 19 wire (for example) can take place internally and so is quite difficult to assess by casual inspection.

Most every one agrees where the failures are most likely to occur: in the wire just outside a swage fitting.

And most agree that the cost of removing a length of wire and then subjecting it to an examination that would reveal internal failure is not much different from removing that wire and replacing it with new.^

Further, whether a boat is used lightly or even not at all may not be important: some argue that the vibration in wire due to withstanding wind at dock stresses the wire enough so that, in the presence of chlorine ions, enough damage is done.

* the only QLD rigger I know who will inspect a rig and write an inspection report likely to convince an insurance company is Colin Quin, of QuinRig, at the Sunshine Coast. Colin has certifications. I cannot guess at Colin's cost for an inspection report.

Call Colin or Debbie Quin at (07) 5450 6889 or 0418 832 615

Colin has re-rigged my vessel once.

He's at Marcoola, on the Sunshine Coast. That's a few days sail south of you.

See: https://www.quinrig.com/rigging-inspections

^ that's based on costs before supply chain disruption associated with Covid and whatever else

[Trevor Doble]

Thanks for that feedback Alan. Yes, I had actually contacted Colin and he is one of the few riggers who has availability - it's just the cost of getting him to Cairns that was a concern. The insurers tell me it doesn't matter how many reports I get they won't insure rigging over 10 years old unfortunately. So Colin is still a good option, not sure I want to bash from Cairns to Sunshine Coast against the prevailing south-easter but it is an option, otherwise paying travel and accommodation to do it in Cairns.

Again, thanks for your input, we are new to living in remote FNQ!

[StuM]

Is Peter Greig still in Port Douglas?


(Last number I had for him was 0417 606 694)

[Trevor Doble]

Hey Stu, yes I have spoken to Pete, he seems like a great guy but is flat out at the moment. I don't think he likes working through the heat of summer either, but we may end up just waiting until he is available. Thinking of going Dyneema and he would be the right guy for that!

[Reefmagnet]

Have you made inquiries around the whitsundays? there's a couple of specialist riggers plying their trade around there.

[Trevor Doble]

Hey Reefmagnet. I have got the name of one guy in Airlie, but he's going in for major surgery about the time I need the rigging done so not an option. If you have any other names I can chase up that would be great, thanks.

[xbillaroo]

Greg Southern at Airlie beach is a very good rigger with a degree in Mechanical engineering.

[Reefmagnet]

The other guy is Andrew and operates out of the coral sea marina.

[Trevor Doble]

Originally Posted by xbillaroo

Greg Southern at Airlie beach is a very good rigger with a degree in Mechanical engineering.

Thanks xbillaroo, I will see if I can get hold of him.

Appreciate your input.

[Trevor Doble]

Originally Posted by Reefmagnet

The other guy is Andrew and operates out of the coral sea marina.

Yep, I've been in contact with Andrew. Unfortunately he is going in for major surgery on both knees so out of action for a while

[Trevor Doble]

Thanks for all the input and advice everyone. After talking to our insurer, it seems that we should be OK to put the rigging off until things free up a bit or we can get the boat a bit further south.

We can cover the boat comprehensively and the only thing not covered is damage caused by a rigging failure. So still covered for lightning strike, if we have a collision (even our own fault) and the rigging is damaged it is covered. We are getting a full rigging inspection done, and if it is all sound we will sail pretty conservatively until the new year when we can get down south or a rigger frees up here in Cairns. We will only be sailing coastal, so should not get caught out in any serious weather!

[Oceanride007]

I'd suggest Peter Grieg as well, he based in Tassie but has many return customers up north, you may get him on one of his scheduled trips.