Yacht Rigging and Rope Splicing Course
Safe & Secure Checkout
Learn about Yacht Rigging and Rope Splicing on this one day course held in Southampton. It’s a one-day course with no previous knowledge required.
- One-day course in Southampton
- Complete guidance from expert instructor
- Learn essential skills in yacht rigging and rope splicing
Safe & Secure Checkout
Fun and Interesting
I attended a one day Rigging and Rope Splicing Course with First Class Sailing. The course was fun and informative, and motivated me to delve into the material we covered in more depth - after all, we are not always in a position to call on the professionals when out sailing. The trainer, made the course interesting from the start. His training style was relaxed, and the course contained the right amount of information, combined with hands on practice
Chris C
Verified Customer
This one day Yacht Rigging and Rope Splicing course will improve your knowledge of all the gear that allow us to set sail.
If you charter a boat you should always cast your eye over the rig and lines. Knowing what to look out for is an important part of keeping you and your family safe.
If you own your own boat then you'll want to keep everything in good order. You may want or have to do some rigging maintenance yourself and you may need to involve a rigger.
This course covers the mast, the wires and bottle screws that support it; the ropes and the fittings that they run through; and the winches that allow us to pull the sails against the huge force of the wind.
We will go over how to inspect a rig, splicing rope - 3 strand, braid on braid and Dyneema, riveting and winch servicing,
Splicing rope is one of the oldest seafaring skills and it is still very much relevant today.
5.0 based on 496 Happy Customers on Tripadvisor
RYA-certified sailing courses
5.0 based on 220 Happy Customers on Google Reviews
More Info on the Yacht Rigging and Rope Splicing Course
Great location: Our Yacht Rigging and Rope Splicing Course is based at our classrooms in Shamrock Quay, Southampton. There is parking and a bistro in the area.
Friendly experienced instructors: Learn from the best with our team of friendly and experienced instructors. With a wealth of knowledge and a passion for teaching, our instructors are dedicated to creating a supportive and enjoyable learning environment for students of all skill levels.
Key Course Details
Here’s a breakdown of the most important information about the Yacht Rigging and Rope Splicing Course:
Required Experience
- There are no prerequisites in taking the Yacht Rigging and Rope Splicing Course.
Course Duration
- 1 day
Course Content
The course covers:
- Rig inspections and what to look out for
- Winch servicing
- Splicing including dyneema
- Riveting
Skills Gained
- An understanding of yacht rigging practices and rope splicing techniques.
Get Started In 3 Easy Steps
An understanding of yacht rigging practices and rope splicing techniques.
Select A Date
Choose a dates from our list of courses that suits you best.
Take The Course
You’ll learn basic skills to nail Yacht Rigging and Rope Splicing.
Become A Pro Sailor
Sail into the sunset with more confidence in how to keep your gear in safe working order.
Yacht Rigging and Rope Splicing -
Complete Breakdown
Course Content
The Yacht Rigging and Rope Splicing Course will be broken up between a morning of theory and an afternoon of practical learning.
In the morning the focus is on rig inspections, but you can also expect to develop and learn:
- Rigging lingo
- Rig designs and styles
- What wire rope is
- Running rigging and ropes
We will then have a break where we can reflect on the mornings' studies and help it soak in with a cup of tea and a spot of lunch.
Following on, the afternoon will entail more of a hands-on approach where we will be looking at Splicing, Riveting and Winch servicing.
Yacht Rigging and Rope Splicing Course
To look more closely at what these entail they will be set into easy and manageable sections.
SPLICING – At first, I thought this was just a rope, turns out it’s knot. We will cover
- Dyneema ropes, one of the strongest ropes available on the market today, we will teach you how to create endless loops, Brummel splices and soft shackles. You will be able to keep some of your workmanship to take home and show your friends and family. Or, just put it in a drawer and forget about it, we don’t mind!
- Whipping rope ends – specifically a Yale Whiplock which is the recommended method of finishing braided rope slices and rope ends
- Demonstration of how to tie an eye splice
RIVETING – it even sounds riveting, doesn’t it?
- Drilling and riveting standard rivets
- Drilling and riveting rivet nuts, we will teach you the difference between the two and how to identify when you would use each of them.
WINCH SERVICING – Yes, ship just got reel!
- Dismantling a winch
- Maintenance and repairs on winches
- Reassembling a winch
Course Timings
The course starts at 10am and ends at 5pm and is currently held only in our Southampton classroom.
Splicing the Mainbrace
Interesting fact: 'Splice the Mainbrace' - On a square-rigged vessel of old, splicing the mainbrace was one of the harder jobs and it became traditional for the crew to be given some grog after completing the task.
The mainbrace controls the yard arms and is the longest line on board. In battle it was not uncommon for an enemy ship to aim at the mainbrace. If the mainbrace rope got severed then its two ends would have to be tidied up and spliced back together with maybe a bit of new line splicied in to keep it's original length.
Nowadays the expression Splice the Mainbrace is a euphemism for a celebratory drink. Cheers!
Can you spot the main brace on this raggedy ship?
What Sailors Say About Us
5.0 based on 561 Happy Customers On Tripadvisor 
5.0 based on 323 Happy Customers On Google Reviews
Non technical
Not a course designed by RYA, but was excellent and gave a good insight in what to look for when understanding and inspecting your rigging. Course leader was a professional rigger so was able to explain in a non technical way how rigging works and what to look for. The afternoon was spent with practical teaching of various splices and whipping. Well worth doing and would recommend.
Mr C
Verified Customer
Very practical and valuable information about the safety checks and wear /tear inspections of a typical sailing vessel’s standing as well as running rigging. This is extremely important as it might mean a safe passage versus a catastrophic one not to mention a very costly outcome unless one is diligent about it. Then there was a very useful and fun part which was rope splicing. It was a hands on and guided tuition at the end of which we did three different types of rope splicing. The point of this was to understand the basic principles of splicing and be able to practice more by following some YouTube videos or books. I very much benefited from it.
T.A, UK
Verified Customer
Practised what we learnt
Attended the Rigging & Splicing class. Great information and plenty of time for practising what was learned. Highly recommended for sailors who want to know more about their boat.
Steve L, UK
Verified Customer
Not Sure Where to Start?
Use our guides to determine your level and find suitable courses.
See how internationally recognised RYA courses progress alongside your sailing skills.
Ready to do your Yacht Rigging and Rope Splicing Course
Learn about Yacht Rigging and Rope Splicing on this informative and fun course.
- Learn in a classroom with other students
- Friendly and knowledgeable instructor
- 1-Day classes in Southampton
Demystified
Great rigging and splicing course. DE mystified a lot of stuff, and I'm now able to splice my own lines!
Rob C
Verified Customer
Ready to do your Yacht Rigging and Rope Splicing Course
You may be interested in...
Whatever your experience, we help you navigate your entire sailing journey. Here's more of what's on offer.
Yacht Electrical and Marine Systems Course
Yacht Electrical and Marine Systems Course
Learn More
Sea Survival Course
'This is a one day course held in a classroom and a swimming pool. You will learn about and handle safety equipment. You will learn how to use it in an emergency. An important part of the course is a practical session in a swimming pool where you get to experience first hand the problems of entering an uncooperative liferaft and assisting others whilst fully clothed and with a lifejacket on. Courses are held in London and Southampton.'
Learn More
RYA Diesel Engine Course
Learn how to maintain a diesel engine with this one day RYA course held in either London or Southampton. Ideally suited to both sail and powerboat users.
Learn More