Rigworks, Inc.

One of our customers just fulfilled their dream of crossing the Pacific. We came into Rigworks this morning to this beautiful photo of the Marquesas Islands in French Polynesia.
We will be living vicariously through them!

Your running rigging plays a huge role in sail performance, control, and safety — but not all lines are created equal. In our latest "Ask The Rigger", we break down the differences between SK78 and SK99 Dyneema cores, explaining how strength, stretch, and weight affect your boat’s performance.

Learn which Dyneema core is best for your setup 👉 https://rigworks.com/choosing-the-best-running-rigging/

Choosing The Best Running Rigging - RIGWORKS INC. Running rigging is an essential component of a sailboat’s rigging systems, consisting of lines or ropes used to adjust the sails, control the boat’s direction and speed, and secure the boat to the dock or Read more…

Rigworks was proud to sponsor last night's CRA Beer Can Races on San Diego Bay. The race photographer Cynthia Sinclair did an outstanding job, as always, at capturing both the race and after-party. Please visit her album of last night's activities...

Rigworks Beer Can Race 8-2025 Explore this photo album by Cynthia Sinclair on Flickr!

Rig Inspection Discount
Summer sailing season is here, and there’s no better time to make sure your rigging is in top shape! For the month of July, we’re offering a 15% discount on our Rig Inspections, now only $340 (originally $400).
✅ Comprehensive inspection of your rigging
✅ Professional assessment for safety and performance
✅ Peace of mind for your next adventure on the water
🛥️ Don’t wait for issues to arise—schedule your inspection today and sail with confidence!
📞 Call us at 1-619-223-3788 or visit www.Rigworks.com to book your appointment.
Limited time offer. Book now!

Servicing Southern California - RIGWORKS INC. Rigworks is a full-service rigging shop in America’s Cup Harbor, on Shelter Island, in San Diego, California. Conveniently located next door to Intrepid Landing, we provide a variety of professional services at one location. Rigworks offers full-service and care to local clients. Whether you need ...

What are Anti-Corrosive Compounds?

Disassembling sailboat rigs can be a difficult and frustrating task, especially when the rig was assembled without any anti-corrosive compounds. Many sailboats are put together at the factory without such compounds, making it challenging and costly for owners to dismantle and re-rig their vessels down the road.

Anti-corrosive compounds play a critical role in maintaining the integrity of a sailboat’s metal components. They protect against galvanic corrosion, which occurs when two dissimilar metals come into contact in the presence of an electrolyte (e.g., saltwater), causing one metal to corrode faster than the other.

Best Anti-Corrosive Compounds for Sailboats:

One such product is Marelube Tef-45 made by Forespar, which contains a high percentage of Teflon to provide superior lubrication and corrosion protection. It is suitable for use on a variety of metal surfaces, including stainless steel, aluminum, and bronze. We like to use this product on turnbuckle threads and clevis pins.

Another effective anti-corrosive compound is Duralac, which is made from a mixture of chromate pigments and resins. It is particularly useful for protecting carbon fiber components from galvanic corrosion when in contact with metals. It creates a barrier to prevent corrosion and prolongs the lifespan of carbon fiber. However, it should be used with caution on painted carbon fiber surfaces. Duralac can also help prevent crevice corrosion in rigging hardware and is a versatile anti-corrosive compound that should be included in any sailboat maintenance routine.

We recommend Marelube Tef-45 and Duralac as our top options for protecting sailboats against galvanic corrosion. These products have proven to be effective in maintaining the longevity and structural integrity of a sailboat’s metal components, making them essential additions to any sailboat maintenance routine.

Both of these products are easy to apply and provide long-lasting protection against corrosion. It is important to note that regular inspection and maintenance of a sailboat’s metal components is still necessary, even with the use of anti-corrosive compounds.

HELP WANTED!

Rigworks is desperately in need of an addition to our team. We are seeking a full-time employee who will work in the shop/store to field customer inquiries, write estimates, maintain the showroom, order parts, oversee shipping and receiving, and more. Although we are happy to train, familiarity with sailboat terms and fundamental sailing experience is a must. QuickBooks experience would be very useful as well.

Our work hours are Mon-Fri 8am-5pm here on beautiful Shelter Island. We are a cohesive, friendly team, and although Rigworks is a small family business, we offer excellent benefits.
If you or someone you know is interested, please give us a call at 619-223-3788 or email us at [email protected]

Rigworks is still looking for a full or part time rigger to join our team. We are happy to train, but sailing experience is a must. We have excellent benefits and a friendly staff. Give us a call at 619-223-3788 or stop by our shop/storefront at 2801 Carleton Street Mon-Fri 8am-4:30pm to discuss the position.

Rigworks is looking for a rigger to join our crew. We are happy to train, but sailing experience and a passion for the sport are a MUST. Our riggers must also be savvy with tools, comfortable with heights, very detail oriented, and work well with customers and co-workers. Please email a resume to [email protected] if you are interested. Or you are welcome to stop by the shop during normal business hours to discuss the position.

Boat owners often ask us to estimate the price of a re-rig, which we are happy to do. But because every job is unique, we can only provide an educated guess. Here is an example...

A few weeks ago, we pulled the mast on a Catalina 40 to replace the standing rigging, and the mast pull took two riggers less than an hour. This morning the same riggers pulled the mast on another Catalina 40, but this one was stuck solid. The deck flexed as the crane started to lift. The guys backed off so as not to damage the boat and spent the next few hours carefully drilling out improperly installed Sikaflex around both the deck and keel step. We were lucky that there was enough of a gap around the mast to drill safely. (We once spoke with an owner who drilled into his mast, repeatedly, trying this himself. As we say... if you think a professional is expensive, hand the tool to an amateur.) So, long story short, we got the job done, but the labor was higher than we anticipated. And, at the end of the day, Rigworks bills actual time and materials.

Another typical day at Rigworks... Lots of climbing and beautiful views.