Why do I need a rigging survey if the boat looks fine? 

Rigging failure is one of the most dangerous things that can happen at sea, and many of the most common failure points are not visible to the naked eye. Swage fittings corrode from the inside. Wire can be fatigued internally with no external sign. 

Chainplates can be working loose beneath perfectly ordinary-looking deck fittings. 

A rigging survey looks specifically at the areas where failure is most likely — not just what is visible on the surface.

What's included in a deck-level rigging inspection? 

A deck-level inspection covers the standing rigging (shrouds, stays, toggles, turnbuckles, and chainplates), running rigging (halyards, sheets, blocks, and clutches), the mast base and boom, and associated deck hardware including winches, cleats, and attachment points. 

It does not include going aloft to inspect the masthead and upper fittings.

When is an aloft inspection necessary? 

An aloft inspection is recommended for older vessels, those with unknown rigging history, or where concerns have been identified at deck level that require direct inspection of the upper sections of the mast. 

It involves physically going up the mast to inspect the masthead, spreader bases, halyard exits, and upper fittings. 

For any vessel being considered for offshore or extended passage making, an aloft inspection gives a much more complete picture.

Is a rigging survey included in a pre-purchase survey? 

A deck-level rigging inspection is included as standard in a full pre-purchase survey for sailing yachts. 

An aloft inspection is available as an addition and is priced separately. 

Standalone rigging surveys — without a full pre-purchase survey — are also available.

How old should rigging be before it needs replacing? 

As a general guide, wire rigging is considered to have a useful life of around 10 years in regular use, but this depends heavily on the environment, the loads the rig has seen, and how the vessel has been sailed. 

Age alone is not always the deciding factor — condition matters more. If the history is unknown, inspection is always the right starting point.

Can a rigging survey be done with the mast in the boat? 

Yes — a deck-level inspection is conducted with the mast stepped. 

An aloft inspection also requires the mast to be in the boat, as it involves going up the rig. If the mast has been removed for winter storage, a bench inspection of the spar and fittings can be arranged instead.