Rigworks, Inc.

Rigworks is excited to be sponsoring this week's CRA Beer Can Race! We hope to see you out there, and at the party afterwards!

Lady K, the gorgeous Tripp 77 we worked on through the pandemic, has lovely new rigging and is now headed south for Panama. We miss her captains, Richard and Steffi, who became more family than customers over the last year. We craned the main and mizzen masts back into the boat on May 4th and our entire team celebrated with a shake-down sail on San Diego bay a few days later. For those of you who have waited patiently for us to catch up on all our other jobs, we really appreciate it. We are working through our backlog and doing our best to keep you sailing!

Working with our riggers daily, I know how amazing they are. But it is always wonderful when you hear it directly from our customers... Michael S. said on Feb 18, 2021 We are working on a re-rig of our Compass 47 which is 6 hours from us with Rigworks which is a 6 hour drive the other direction. This is definitely a challenging project for that reason. Robin and Logan have been fantastic to work with and scrambled to make sure we got what we needed on time. I will definitely ...use them in the future. Sean P. said on Feb 11, 2021 Rigworks came to the rescue. Big job requires knowledgeable people and these guys have what it takes. I would trust these guys with just about anything to do with boats. I have worked with all sorts of people in the boating industry all around the world and when it comes to doing the job these guys are number one. Once they take on your job you can relax, scheduling anywhere in the world is difficult most people just make you wait and give excuses all day long (no shows) but not these guys. Rigworks stands by their commitment if you can get through the front desk they are worth it. To get started I had to physically go into the shop pay a down payment and then did I stepped behind the desk and put my name on the schedule. I did what I had to do to get on the schedule and they did what it took to fix my boat right. Thank you to everyone that works at Rigworks and works with Rigworks I could not have done it without you all. Vic R. said on Feb 11, 2021 Helpful staff, great products and lower priced than Tiffany's by the Sea (West Marine) and most importantly, experts in their field. Thank you for the lovely compliments!

Gather your crew and get them up to speed on the Racing Rules of Sailing with this FREE interactive, fun & educational webinar with Dave Perry. Courtesy of Cortez Racing Association! No Fee! Brought to you by CRA! Where sailboat racing is fun! Tues. Jan 26, 6-8PM (must pre-register online as space is limited) ... To Sign Up: https://www.regattanetwork.com/event/21739 Dave Perry is well known for his enthusiastic and engaging teaching style for sailors of all ages and levels, as well as highly respected for his deep knowledge of the sport of Sailing. He is one of the sport’s leading rules experts, serving on the US Sailing Appeals Committee and being the Rules Advisor for several recent America’s Cup teams and the US Sailing Team at the 2008, 2012 and 2021 Olympic Games. Dave has learned how to bring his same engaging and effective teaching style to the Zoom platform, and is excited to work with the sailors and race officials in the San Diego area know the rules better so they are more confident in close-quarter action at the starts and around the marks, and so they can play the game at a higher level. Dave encourages sailors who normally crew to join us because knowing the rules better will dramatically increase their racing enjoyment. Ask Dave! is a session where Dave will explain the significant changes in the new racing rules that went into effect on January 1, 2021, and then will answer the participant’s rules questions for the remainder of the time.

Congratulations to Robin & David Basham - WINNERS OF THE Cortez Racing Association 2020 SPORTSMAN OF THE YEAR AWARD!! This was a year of sailors helping sailors and the CRA Board has voted to honor multiple skippers and crew for their assistance to others in need. One of which is Rigworks' very own. Here's their story: David and Robin Basham on Janis - On August 15, 2020, during "Race Your Household V", the crew of Janis came to the aid of Rhumb Runner, which experienced an... electrical fire onboard. The Bashams rushed right over and David assisted Chuck Bowers, who was single handing his boat, to douse the fire and then proceeded to ensure Rhumb Runners' electrical connections were secure and would not pose a risk of further fire so that Chuck could proceed back to his mooring safely. Robin and David responded immediately and without concern for their own safety to Chuck's SOS, even in the presence of the scary smoke from the cabin. Read the rest of the local hero stories at: http://www.cortezracing.com/

It has been a while, but we have finally added a new post to our popular "Ask the Rigger" series on our website. Please check out 'Do Your Masthead Sheaves Need Replacing' at https://rigworks.com/do-your-masthead-sheaves-need-replaci/ And if you have topics that you would like us to address in future posts, please let us know. We always enjoy hearing from you!

A number of people have checked in with us. Apparently, there is a rumor in the San Diego sailing community that Rigworks owner, Ray Pope, has covid-19. This is NOT the case. He and the entire Rigworks team are grateful to have stayed healthy, employed and VERY busy during this pandemic. There are many people who need our good wishes and support during these difficult times but we are doing fine so far. Rigworks is open for business and practicing safety measures in compliance with city and state regulations. You are welcome to visit, email, or give us a call if you need our assistance.

The Rigworks team is incredibly sad to hear of the passing of one of our favorite sailors. Lee Pearce was a blessing to the San Diego sailing community. His friendly, positive attitude and his willingness to share his enthusiasm and knowledge with others made our world a better place. We will miss him!

Some days what we do here at Rigworks is simply an art form. Could this photo be any prettier? That is Rigworks owner Ray Pope up there fiddling with a spreader.

Hope to see you on the water this weekend for: RACE YOUR HOUSEHOLD III - this Saturday, June 20! Our office manager Robin Basham & her husband David Basham will be out there on their Sanatana 525 "Janis"! ... If your "household" wants more of a challenge, you can give the newly added ** SPINNAKER CLASS ** a try!! (See Amendment #1 to the Sailing Instructions) Cutwater Spirits has donated a bottle of spirits for each class winner, to be picked up at Fidder’s after the race! Sign up here: https://www.regattanetwork.com/event/20871 Thank You CRA for your valiant efforts keeping San Diego Racing active during these difficult times. Some time out on the water is the therapy we all need right now!

CRA "Household Racing" begins this weekend !! Of course this won't be your usual crew, so rules are modified to make short handed bay racing safe and doable (non spin, extra room, etc) So grab your wife, kids, that one guy renting the spare bedroom and get out on the water this weekend! It's Free, and not limited to CRA Members!... Thanks to CRA for making this happen, and we look forward to seeing you out there! See link below for details: https://www.regattanetwork.com/event/20789

We are still ordering parts, building rigging in-house, and answering calls / questions during the Shelter-in-Place order. Now would be a great time to call or email for an estimate on your latest boat project. Then when the yards and marinas reopen, we can dive right in. We really miss having customers in the store, but we hope you are all staying safe and sane during this challenge. Let us know if we can help.

Due to Governor Newsom's Shelter-In-Place order, Rigworks is closing our showroom for now and postponing direct meetings with our customers. HOWEVER, we have a skeleton crew on site to answer phones, take orders, and work on jobs that don't require face-to-face interaction. We are continuing to build rigging, service hydraulics, cut rope, provide estimates, answer questions, etc. all while practicing 'social distancing' to protect our staff. Please call us if you need anything. We are happy to help and always look forward to hearing from you. Good luck everyone... stay safe and keep your spirits up!

At present, Rigworks is open, and our riggers are working on a variety of interesting projects. If you have questions, need parts, or have a job that you would like us to do, please give us a call. We are happy to help.

Today we received two lovely compliments from recent customers. At the risk of tooting our own horn, we'd like to share them... The first was a quick hello from a customer cruising in Mexico. We love hearing from our wayfaring friends!... "Happy Holidays! We are now in La Cruz and have had an amazing trip down. Thanks to all at Rigworks for making this happen."... The second was a lovely letter from an Ericson 29 owner here in San Diego who did most of his own work (with a little support from our team) and now has a deep appreciation for the challenges and delays our riggers face daily... "Rigworks is Undeniably the Best. The owner Ray and his team are professional, communicate well, and are very thorough. In 2006 I snapped my port side spreader off my 1973 Ericson 29 sailboat on a gusty December day tacking under the Coronado bridge. I chose Rigworks from the good reviews. Ray responded quickly and we were able to set up a date for his crew to unstep my mast. Ray kindly allowed me to do some of the work myself as I enjoy working on my boat. Ray also had a clever and practical way to repair the damage on the spreaders. Before I knew it, the mast was up, and I was sailing back to home slip. So, in 2019 when my E-29 needed new standing rigging, the only place I wanted to go was Rigworks. I emailed Rigworks, Ray responded promptly, and a date was set for the mast to come down. While I always leave the important things to the professionals, he once again allowed me to do some smaller jobs. I was feeling confident from the last 13 years of acquired sailboat knowledge, and the size of my toolbox had grown considerably since the 2006. However, I now have a new appreciation for the talent and time that goes into even the smallest jobs. I totally underestimated the time it takes. I allotted what I thought was a generous estimate of 14 hours between the few projects I wanted to complete. Everything took three times as long as I estimated. Luckily Rigworks had my back. Once or twice a day one of the staff would come out and check on my progress and share some knowledge, give recommendations and advise on how to proceed on the project at hand. They also worked around my progress until I finished up. In the end I think spent more than 40 hours from dis-assembly to completion for all the jobs. So, take from me, when you hear it from the professionals these projects are time intensive. Once the mast work was done, Rigworks efficiently competed the standing rigging. I believe they genuinely cared about seeing my mast with full sails again. I will never forget the professionalism, knowledge, advice and patience of Ray and the Rigworks staff." From the Staff at Rigworks... Thank you for the lovely compliments. We always enjoy the time you pend with us! Note: The lovely rainbow photo was sent a while back from a very special family who has been cruising for over a year. We live vicariously through them.

Look what flew by our windows yesterday. Truly!! We are right across from Intrepid Boatworks' dry storage lot where the trimaran 'Shockwave' (previously 'Paradox') has been on the hard for a new look. Yesterday they craned her back into San Diego Bay. It was quite impressive!

Sometimes a Rig Inspection catches little things before they turn into big things, like the loose block in this photo. What boat owner wouldn't appreciate a Rig Inspection for Christmas? Instead of a stressful trip to the mall for another colorful tie, call us at 619-223-3788, and we will schedule a Rig Inspection or create a personalized gift certificate. If you would like to know more about our inspections, please visit http://rigworks.com/the-scoop-on-rig-inspections/.

Rigworks is a great place for Christmas gifts! New sheets and halyards, deck hardware, gift certificates for Rig Inspections, safety gear including Spinlock Deckvests, rigging knives, gloves, knee pads, headlamps, beacons, and so much more. Rigworks is a jewelry store for sailors! Call or drop by... we are always happy to answer your questions on the latest industry 'goodies'. And for the kids, who wouldn't want an O'pen BIC sailboat? (How did that picture of our shop mascot Jasper get in there... he is definitely NOT for sale!)