Spar and Rigging Department

Sailboats are complicated machines. They have many systems and the most sensitive is the mast. We are generalists when it comes to rigging. We can repair what you have and make suggestions for changes or improvements. However, the safety and sizing of a boat's rigging is ultimately the responsibility of the owner. 

Considering that the mast and sails are the most important component of propulsion on your boat, it should be given the utmost attention when weighing the costs and risks of what to maintanin and what to defer. The industry standard of rigging life is 15 years in salt water and 20 years in fresh water.

It is also vital to coat all stainless fasteners with a dialectric grease, such as Tef-Gel or LanoCoat, to prevent galvanic corrosion. Use this everywhere dissimilar metals meet.

Seizing Wire

This is an vintage rigging hardware and is definitely something to look after. Surprisingly it is still being used!

Aluminum and Cable

This is the most common mast we see today, whether you have a 1970’s full keel passagemaker with original rigging or a 2018 racer cruiser, you will find aluminum spars held up with stainless steel cable.

Aluminum and Rod

The next most popular rigging style is the very low stretch characteristics of stainless steel rod and aluminum. This is a mainstay in the racing community and has proved very reliable. It does fail from time to time and it is prudent to take your rig down at least every other year and have all the fittings visually inspected. Also, keep after the turnbuckles and spreader-bases and tips.

Carbon and Rod

The racers edge, this combo is popular all over the word and is now affordable due to the abundance of manufacturers. Despite the fact that carbon fiber is glass reinforced plastic, the presence of carbon makes stainless attachments a source of galvanic corrosion, so keep the Tef-Gel handy. In many cases, the mast is carbon and the spreaders are aluminum and that means galvanic corrosion.

Contact Us

Skyway Yacht Works
9864 South Avenue N
Chicago, Illinois  60617
E | info@skywayyachtworks.com
T | 773-734-7777
F | 773-721-4138


Hours

Winter 2022 / 2023

December 13 – March 31
—Monday–Saturday: 9am–4pm

Spring 2023

April 1 – May 31
—Monday–Sunday: 8am–5pm

Summer 2023

June 1 – June 15
—Monday–Saturday: 8am–5pm
June 16 – September 15
—Monday–Friday: 9am–4pm

Fall 2023

September 16 – November 23
—Monday–Sunday: 8am–5pm
November 24 – December 31
—Monday–Saturday: 9am–4pm

Closed – 2023 Holidays

Easter:  April 9
Memorial DayMay 29
Independence DayJuly 3 – 4
Labor DaySeptember 4
Thanksgiving: November 22 – 26
December 20, 2023 – January 4, 2024


How to Get to Skyway

Google Maps
Metra Trains (93rd St)
Moovit

Pettit Paint, Yanmar Engines, Kohler, B&G Electronics, ABBRA