As the festive season approaches many of the Med-based classics are in active refit mode pulling rigs and adding accelerator to their varnish as the temperature drops away. Mallorca based rigging company TEC (Trabajos en Cabos) have been in full swing and have recently pulled three towering gaff cutter masts, 2 from the drawing board of William Fife Jnr. and 1 from NG Herreshoff.
With the help of ‘Chucks Rigging’ the 32 metre Fife Moonbeam IV has had their rig pulled and is undergoing a standing rigging (galvanized 7×7 wire) inspection at the famous Astilleros Shipyard in the heart of Palma de Mallorca’s bustling super yacht port.
Also at Astilleros the 22m Herreshoff design Spartan, having had a fantastic debut season in the Mediterranean earlier this year, has recently unstepped her mast and has her 7×7 stainless steel wire being checked over.
TEC also travelled to Port Fréjus, just north of Saint Tropez, and set up Moonbeam of Fife’s rig on the hard. Her standing rigging is unpolished stainless steel 7×7 wire.
Its perhaps interesting to note that for the mast and rigging of each of the three yachts Moonbeam IV, the tallest of the three rigs, was measured at 2.3 tons, Moonbeam III at 2 tons and Spartan, whose rig is the same length as that of Moonbeam III, 1.2 tons.
Of course the maintenance isn’t only restricted to eyeing up a number of wire eye splices. There are mast bands to be checked, spreader integrity, navigation antennas and wind instruments, strops, halyards, topping lifts and blocks…. and we haven’t started varnishing the spar yet.
It fills me with impassioned appreciation that owners and crew alike strive to keep so many of these wonderful assemblies of maritime heritage alive and well whilst keeping in line with the yachts’ pedigree as they sink deep into the next maintenance project. This is the unseen work, the elbow grease that converts to shine, and when you stroll the early season regatta quay and you hear the upbeat folk resonate with the banter of winter yarns, you’ll find your eyes wander across the multitude of classics and feel all warm inside.
If you are busy in your annual maintenance mission or have taken the plunge into a full refit or restoration venture then send us an e-mail and keep us updated. We’d love to hear more…..
