Hi all,
I am seeking recommendations for a rigger servicing Lake Macquarie.

I have an issue with my main halyard sheave (at least I think that is where the problem lies) that I want to attend to but it is going to involve taking the mast out so I'm taking the opportunity to have some electrical work done for the lights on the mast at the same time.

I have found and electrical guy to do that bit of it but having trouble finding a rigger to commit to the job. Perhaps it is not a big job so not worth their while?? Anyway, I have tried Patrick from Newcastle Yacht rigging & Sails and after an initial conversation he doesn't seem to be returning my calls . Scott from East Coast Marine & Sail was wanting me to take the boat around to Marmong Point Marina but my intention / preference is to just use the mast crane available 100m from my mooring at LMYC.

So are there any other riggers people know of in the area that you would recommend?

Thanks in advance for your assistance.

MattM14 said..
Hi all,
I am seeking recommendations for a rigger servicing Lake Macquarie.

I have an issue with my main halyard sheave (at least I think that is where the problem lies) that I want to attend to but it is going to involve taking the mast out so I'm taking the opportunity to have some electrical work done for the lights on the mast at the same time.

I have found and electrical guy to do that bit of it but having trouble finding a rigger to commit to the job. Perhaps it is not a big job so not worth their while?? Anyway, I have tried Patrick from Newcastle Yacht rigging & Sails and after an initial conversation he doesn't seem to be returning my calls . Scott from East Coast Marine & Sail was wanting me to take the boat around to Marmong Point Marina but my intention / preference is to just use the mast crane available 100m from my mooring at LMYC.

So are there any other riggers people know of in the area that you would recommend?

Thanks in advance for your assistance.

Yeah, funny isn't it, some don't seem to realise that the small relatively quick jobs often lead to being the preferred contractor for the larger jobs.

What are you trying to do with the mast? If you are moderately handy you may be able to do all the work yourself. Personally I don't like to call Patrick down to the boat because it costs a heap of money. I go up my own rig, measure the stays, rig a tight halyard, drop one of each (apart from a forestay) and take them to him and Bob (who Patrick worked for) would swage them up. Cost about half price that way.

A seized sheave will be a bit of a bugger to remove but a hammer, kerosene, oil and a drift should do it. As well as saving money, I think it is safer to know as much about your boat as possible and how it is put together.

If you are going to drop the mast I would recommend you go over the whole thing, and not just the masthead sheave. Run new wiring if needed, install a better LED nav/anchor light, check the VHF coax and aerial, spreader bases, and all tangs. Masts are nice jobs because they don't take too much time.

I haven't dropped mine for about 19 years. Even though all is pretty good, it would be nice to pull it out and have a really nice look over the whole thing. I would like a new tang for a slutter attachment too.

r13 mentioned phillips sails. craig did a lot a igging work for us, and there is no-one better. however he now wants to concentrate on sails and no longer does rigging work

patrick at newcastle rigging is now the guy, but he is super busy. work with him and be patient...or take the boat to pittwater (mario ruel) or do it yourself

cheers,