Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Boat Rigger

🎯 Role Definition

A Boat Rigger is a skilled marine tradesperson responsible for installing, inspecting, maintaining and repairing the standing and running rigging, deck hardware, and associated systems on sailboats, yachts and other vessels. The role combines hands-on fabrication, mechanical troubleshooting, load and tension management, sea-trial testing and close adherence to maritime safety and regulatory requirements. Ideal candidates blend technical rope and wirework expertise, mechanical aptitude, and strong safety discipline to ensure rigging reliability at sea and on the hard.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Deckhand or Bosun with rigging exposure
Marine Yard Technician or Shipyard Laborer
Marine Mechanic / Service Technician

Advancement To:

Senior Rigger / Lead Rigger
Rigger Foreman or Rigging Supervisor
Yacht Maintenance Manager or Shipyard Project Manager
Marine Surveyor or Rigging Consultant

Lateral Moves:

Sailmaker / Sail Technician
Marine Fabricator / Metalworker
Winch and Deck Hardware Specialist

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Inspect standing and running rigging (wire, rod, synthetic lines) for wear, corrosion, chafe and fatigue; document findings and recommend repairs or replacements with clear quotes and timelines.
Install and tension standing rigging (shrouds, stays, forestays) using calibrated tension meters, turnbuckles, and hydraulic or manual tensioning systems to manufacturer and naval architecture specifications.
Step and unstep masts safely on shore and afloat, coordinating crane or gin pole operations, taglines and deck teams; perform pre-step checks and post-step alignment and tuning.
Perform detailed rig tuning and sail-plan setup, adjusting mast rake, prebend, stayed tension and running rigging leads for optimal sail shape and performance across wind ranges.
Splice synthetic and natural fiber lines (long and short splice, eye splices), perform wire rope termination and swaging for rod ends, swage sockets and mechanical terminals to industry standards.
Repair, modify or replace deck hardware (turnbuckles, chainplates, cleats, fairleads), blocks, furling units and winches; carry out preventative maintenance and periodic servicing.
Fabricate and fit custom rigging components and stainless-steel fittings (bent, tig-welded, drilled and tapped) per drawings or on-the-spot requirements.
Service and overhaul electric and manual winches, furlers and hydraulic powerpacks including seals, bearings and gearboxes; bench-test units and reinstall with functional checks.
Conduct sea trials and functional load testing to validate repairs and rig tuning; adjust rigging as necessary based on on-water performance and safety checks.
Perform load calculations and sling planning for mast moves, heavy hardware lifts and crane operations; create and follow safe lifting plans and rigging diagrams.
Maintain inventory control of rigging materials, fittings, consumables and tooling; order parts, track warranty items and manage vendor communications.
Troubleshoot and repair emergency rigging failures and perform rapid temporary repairs at sea, advising captains and crew on safe speed and sail limitations.
Carry out non-destructive inspections (visual, dye-penetrant, magnetic) of key rigging fittings and fasteners, escalating potential structural concerns to shipyard engineering or surveyor.
Install and maintain standing-rigging monitoring systems, tension gauges and sensors; record baseline tension readings and maintain service logs.
Align, shim and adjust mast step, partners and bearings to eliminate binding and wear; verify chainplate integrity and deck penetration sealing.
Coordinate refit and rigging project scopes with shipyard teams, riggers, rigging suppliers and sailmakers to meet deadlines and budget constraints.
Adhere to regulatory requirements and classification society rules for commercial and passenger vessels when performing rigging changes or load-bearing modifications.
Train and mentor junior rigging staff and apprentices in safe rigging practice, splicing techniques and tool usage; develop and issue rigging checklists.
Maintain detailed service reports, rigging alteration records and as-fitted drawings for vessel maintenance history and resale documentation.
Implement and enforce safety protocols: lockout/tagout for hydraulic systems, fall protection for mast work, PPE standards, and confined-space precautions when required.
Diagnose and repair electrical and hydraulic components associated with furlers, windlasses, and powered winches; interface with marine electricians when needed.
Liaise directly with captains, owners and yard project managers to explain recommended work, provide transparent cost estimates and schedule follow-up maintenance.
Carry out corrosion control measures including passivation, protective coatings and cathodic protection checks for rigging hardware and attachments.
Assist with dockside, haul-out and rigging prep for events, deliveries and regattas including tuning for performance or heavy-weather configurations.
Maintain workshop tools and portable rigging equipment; calibrate tension meters, hydraulic tools and torque wrenches and ensure safe tool custody.

Secondary Functions

Support pre-purchase surveys and marine inspections by providing rigging condition reports and repair estimates.
Participate in cross-disciplinary refit meetings to advise on integration of rig systems with sails, electronics and deck layouts.
Provide on-call support for emergency rigging repairs during deliveries, cruising seasons and regattas.
Assist sailmakers and deck teams with lead block placement, reefing system installations and custom line runs.
Contribute to the shop’s continuous improvement: recommend tooling, shop layout and inventory changes to improve turnaround times.
Maintain compliance records for certification bodies and class societies; help prepare vessels for inspection visits.
Help develop standard operating procedures (SOPs) for rigging tasks, tool inspections and safety briefings.
Prepare boats for storage or winterization focusing on rigging de-tensioning, corrosion prevention and safe cover rigs.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Wire rope splicing, mechanical and swage terminal installation, and synthetic rope splicing (long splice, eye splice).
Standing and running rigging installation and tuning for monohulls and multihulls, including mast rake and prebend adjustments.
Mast stepping and unstepping procedures with crane/gina pole coordination and safe lifting plans.
Use and calibration of rig tension meters, Loos gauge equivalents, hydraulic tensioners and torque wrenches.
Fabrication skills: stainless-steel fitting fabrication, drilling, tig welding (or coordination with welders), bending and fitting chainplates.
Maintenance and overhaul of winches, furlers, windlasses and hydraulic power units; bench testing and fault diagnosis.
Understanding of naval architecture basics affecting rig loads, shroud geometry and sail plan dynamics.
Load calculation, sling planning and safe rigging diagrams for lifts and mast moves.
Familiarity with ABYC, ISO, classification society (Lloyd’s, ABS, DNV) and flag-state rigging requirements.
Proficiency reading and creating mechanical drawings, rigging schematics and as-fitted documentation.
Non-destructive inspection techniques and corrosion assessment for stainless and galvanized fittings.
Use of powered hand tools, hydraulic presses, swaging machines, grinders and precision measuring tools.
Sea-trial testing procedures and ability to interpret on-water feedback into rigging adjustments.
Basic electrical and hydraulic troubleshooting related to powered deck gear and furling systems.
Inventory management and parts sourcing, including supplier/vendor negotiation for specialty rigging hardware.

Soft Skills

Clear communicator with the ability to explain technical issues to captains, owners and project managers.
Strong problem-solving and diagnostic capability under time pressure and at-sea conditions.
High attention to detail and meticulous record-keeping for safety and resale documentation.
Team player who can lead small teams on step/unstep operations and mentor apprentices.
Customer service orientation — able to provide professional estimates, timelines and follow-through.
Time management and organization to prioritize urgent repairs and scheduled maintenance.
Physical stamina and comfortable working at heights, in tight spaces and in variable weather conditions.
Commitment to safety culture with proactive hazard identification and incident reporting.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

High school diploma or GED; vocational training or apprenticeship in marine trades preferred.

Preferred Education:

Technical diploma or certificate in marine mechanics, boatbuilding, marine engineering, or rigging technology.
Certificates from rigging-specific programs (e.g., Riggers’ certification, ABYC courses, RYA/MCA familiarization for sail systems).

Relevant Fields of Study:

Marine Technology / Marine Trades
Mechanical Engineering Technology (practical / applied)
Boatbuilding / Shipwright courses

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 2–7 years working in marine rigging, shipyard rigging or yacht refit environments.

Preferred: 5+ years of dedicated rigging experience with demonstrated competence in standing rigging installation, mast stepping, winch overhaul and sea-trial rig tuning; experience with both recreational yachts and commercial vessels or superyacht refit programs.