Short course300 h · Online · 5 modules

Standing and Running Rigging Inspection and Renewal Course

This course teaches you to assess the condition of a sailing yacht's standing rigging, decide when to renew it and change wires, terminals and turnbuckles. You will also learn to select and splice technical ropes for running rigging and to tune the mast correctly.

Duration300 h
ModeOnline
Start1 December
Modules5
Program diagnosis

Prior knowledge check

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About the program

What is the Standing and Running Rigging Inspection and Renewal Course?

This short course teaches you to assess the condition of a sailing yacht's standing rigging, decide when it should be renewed and carry out the change of wires, terminals and turnbuckles. You will detect cracks, corrosion and broken strands, calculate wire diameters from righting moment, fit mechanical and swaged terminals, splice Dyneema and double-braid ropes, and tune the mast for tension, rake and bend with a tension gauge.

What sets this course apart: methodical inspection, with protocols from deck level and aloft; current materials, from 1x19 wire and Dyform to rod and synthetic fibers; terminals and swaging, with their weak points; technical ropework, with Dyneema and double-braid splices; and a practical case in which you plan a complete re-rig.

Program typeShort course
ModeOnline
Duration300 hours
Modules5
Start1 December

Program highlights

  • Methodical inspection: protocols from deck level and aloft.
  • Current materials: 1x19 wire, Dyform, rod and synthetic fibers.
  • Terminals and swaging: swaged and mechanical terminals and their weak points.
  • Technical ropework: Dyneema eye splices and double-braid ropes.
  • Working aloft: bosun's chair, harness and safety line.
  • Practical case: planning the complete re-rig of a sailing yacht.
Syllabus

Syllabus of the Standing and Running Rigging Inspection and Renewal Course

5 modules. Select a module to see its content.

Module 1

Rigs and loads on the rigging

  • 1.1. Types of rig: masthead sloop, fractional, cutter and ketch, with their standing rigging elements
  • 1.2. Cap shrouds, lower shrouds, stays, backstay and spreaders: structural function and load distribution
  • 1.3. Righting moment, breaking load and safety factors in sizing wire
  • 1.4. Materials: AISI 316 1x19 stainless wire, compacted Dyform wire, Nitronic 50 rod and PBO
  • 1.5. Indicative service life of rigging according to use, climate and miles sailed; renewal criteria
At this stage
60 hestimated workload
5 wkweeks at your pace
Module 2

Inspecting standing rigging

  • 2.1. Inspection protocol from deck: turnbuckles, chainplates, clevis pins and toggles
  • 2.2. Working safely aloft: bosun's chair, harness, safety line and communication with the deck
  • 2.3. Inspection on the mast: spreaders, masthead fittings, sheaves, halyard blocks and T-terminals
  • 2.4. Typical defects: broken strands, crevice corrosion, cracks in terminals and deformation
  • 2.5. Non-destructive testing with dye penetrant and photographic documentation for the report
At this stage
60 hestimated workload
5 wkweeks at your pace
Module 3

Terminals, turnbuckles and changing wires

  • 3.1. Roll-swaged terminals: process, checking the diameter and causes of failure
  • 3.2. Mechanical cone terminals (Sta-Lok, Hi-Mod): assembly, sealing and reuse
  • 3.3. Chrome-plated bronze and stainless steel turnbuckles: threads, galling and use of anti-seize lubricant
  • 3.4. Measuring lengths with the mast stepped and unstepped, and making up new wires
  • 3.5. Headsail furlers: removing the foil, changing the forestay and fitting the drum
At this stage
60 hestimated workload
5 wkweeks at your pace
Module 4

Running rigging and technical ropework

  • 4.1. Synthetic fibers: polyester, Dyneema, Vectran and aramid; stretch, creep and UV resistance
  • 4.2. Rope constructions: double braid, parallel core and high-abrasion covers
  • 4.3. Dyneema eye splices, double-braid eyes and cover tapering for halyards
  • 4.4. Blocks, clutches, stoppers and winches: selection by working load and maintenance
  • 4.5. Changing halyards and sheets, and using messenger lines to run ropes inside the mast
At this stage
60 hestimated workload
5 wkweeks at your pace
Module 5

Practical case: complete re-rig

  • 5.1. Initial inspection of the yacht and diagnosis with a list of items to change
  • 5.2. Calculating diameters, choosing materials and terminals, and a detailed quotation for the job
  • 5.3. Planning unstepping with a crane, measuring wires and preparing the new rigging
  • 5.4. Stepping the mast, fitting the wires and static tuning with a tension gauge and rake check
  • 5.5. Sea trial, final dynamic tuning and technical report delivered to the owner
At this stage
60 hestimated workload
5 wkweeks at your pace
Plan your pace

Duration and format of the Standing and Running Rigging Inspection and Renewal Course

It is 300 hours. Tell us how many you can study each week and we will tell you when you will really finish.

4 h30 h
With 12 h per week
6
months to finish
25 weeks
weeks in total

This is the pace at which most students finish. It fits well with the installment plan.

Faculty

Academic leadership and faculty

The Navalis teaching team: working professionals who teach and supervise the programs.

Dra. Marina AlcoverDr. Marina AlcoverAcademic Director and Head of Quality Assurance
Ing. Diego CifuentesEng. Diego CifuentesSenior Lecturer in Naval Welding and Non-Destructive Testing; Head of QA/QC for Welded Joints
Cap. Javier Abaroa (MCA)Capt. Javier Abaroa (MCA)Senior Lecturer in Ship Handling, Electronic Navigation (ECDIS/Radar/ARPA) and GMDSS; STCW Compliance and Bridge Resource Management Coordinator
Dr. Pau FerrerDr. Pau FerrerSenior Lecturer in Naval Architecture and Simulation; Director of the Hydrodynamics and CFD Laboratory
Dra. Nuria LlobregatDr. Nuria LlobregatSenior Lecturer in Marine Meteorology, SAR and Operational Safety; Navigation Risk Management Coordinator
Ing. Javier BañulsEng. Javier BañulsSenior Lecturer in Electrical Engineering, Automation and ETO Engineering; Electronic Integration and Engine Alarms Coordinator
Ing. Sofía MarquinaEng. Sofía MarquinaSenior Lecturer in Materials, Composites and Corrosion Protection; Coordinator of the Advanced Paints and Coatings Line
Ing. Tomás RieraEng. Tomás RieraSenior Lecturer in Propulsion, Alternative Energy and Hybrid Systems; Energy Performance and Vibration Coordinator
Objectives

Objectives of the Standing and Running Rigging Inspection and Renewal Course

01Calculate rigging loads.
02Inspect standing rigging.
03Fit terminals and turnbuckles.
04Splice technical ropes.
05Tune the mast.
06Plan a complete re-rig.
Careers

Career opportunities after the Standing and Running Rigging Inspection and Renewal Course

01Riggerrigging workshops and sail lofts in leisure ports.
02Sailing yacht maintenance technicianshipyards and boatyards with sailing fleets.
03Rig inspectorpre-purchase or pre-regatta checks.
04Maintenance deckhandcare of rigs in sailing charter fleets.
05Chandlery advisersales of ropes, blocks and rigging hardware.
Frequently asked questions

Questions about the Standing and Running Rigging Inspection and Renewal Course

It depends on use, climate and material; a commonly cited guideline for stainless wire is between 10 and 15 years. On the course you will learn to decide using technical inspection criteria, not age alone.

Yes. As well as 1x19 wire and Dyform, it covers Nitronic 50 rod and textile rigging in PBO or Dyneema, with their advantages, limitations and failure modes.

Yes. Module 4 explains Dyneema eye splices, double-braid eyes and cover tapering step by step, as well as choosing blocks and stoppers.

Yes. A sub-module is devoted to working aloft with a bosun's chair, harness and safety line, and to coordinating with the person on the winch at deck level.

No; swaged terminals are fitted once. Module 3 explains when mechanical cone terminals can be reused and how to reassemble them correctly.

The course is taught online and comprises 300 hours of study across 5 modules of about 60 hours each and ends with an applied practical case.

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Online admission

Admission process

No waiting for a call back. If your documents are in order, you can enroll in the same session.

Entry requirements
  • Profile: aimed at deckhands, boatyard technicians and racing sailors who want to specialize in rigging, and sailing yacht owners who wish to supervise or carry out its maintenance.
  • Language: sufficient command of English to follow the classes and the technical documentation.
  • Technical resources: a computer with a stable internet connection, an up-to-date browser and a camera for live sessions and project presentations.
  • Admission: enrollment is open all year round; online application, review of your profile and a short interview with the academic team.
  1. 01
    Application
    Your details, background and documents.
  2. 02
    Instant review
    We check that everything is complete and in order.
  3. 03
    Enrollment
    Choose full payment or instalments and reserve your place.
Start my applicationFrom $248 deposit

Admission is provisional until the committee validates the documents provided. If you do not meet the requirements, the full amount is refunded.

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