Vetted UK professionals
Riggers & sailmakers
Rig inspections, re-rigs, sail repair and new sails from checked lofts and riggers
Standing rigging is the one part of a sailing boat where age matters more than appearance. Most insurers work to a ten-year replacement guidance for wire rigging, and a swage that looks fine from the deck can be cracked at the terminal. Riggers on Marine Match quote for inspections, targeted replacement and full re-rigs, with mast-up or mast-down options priced separately.
Sail work runs alongside it: repairs and re-stitching, UV strip replacement, valeting and storage over winter, recuts, and new sails made to measure. Because a repair loft and a sailmaker are not always the same business, the two trades are listed separately so quotes come from people who genuinely do that work.
Why these professionals are different
0
verified rigging & sails professionals listed and cleared to quote
—
average rating across 0 reviews, each tied to a completed booking
100%
document-checked before approval — no self-certified listings
What our team checks in this category
- Trade qualificationNVQ / City & Guilds / equivalent certificate for the trade you list.
- Public liability insuranceCertificate in the trading name, minimum £1m cover, in date.
Documents are re-checked at expiry. How we verify professionals.
How to pick the right quote
- • A written rig report with photographs, not a verbal 'looks fine'
- • Clear scope on whether the mast comes out and who pays the crane
- • Wire, terminal and furler brands specified in the quote
- • Sail measurements taken on the boat rather than off old sailplan data
Payment is held securely and only released once you confirm the work is complete.
What owners book most
- Annual rig check and mast-climb inspection before the season
- Full standing rigging replacement, mast up or unstepped
- Running rigging renewal, halyards, sheets and reefing lines
- Sail repairs, restitching, batten pockets and UV strip renewal
- New sails, recuts and sail valeting and winter storage
- Spray hoods, biminis, sail covers and canvas work
Trades in this category
Riggers & sailmakers — FAQ
- How often should standing rigging be replaced?
- Common UK insurance guidance is around ten years for wire rigging, or sooner with heavy use, offshore passages or visible defects. Rod rigging and rigs on high-mileage boats are usually assessed on inspection rather than age alone.
- Does the mast have to come out for a re-rig?
- Not always, but it is usually cheaper and better in the long run: with the mast down the rigger can inspect the mast head, spreaders, sheaves and wiring at bench height. Your quote should say clearly which approach it assumes and whether craneage is included.
- Can a torn sail be repaired or does it need replacing?
- Most tears, seam failures and UV-strip breakdowns are repairable. What ends a sail is fabric fatigue — when the cloth has lost shape and strength across a panel, repairs simply move the failure along. A loft will tell you which you have after handling the sail.
- How do you verify riggers and sailmakers?
- Photo ID, business registration, in-date public liability insurance and trade qualification or evidenced rigging experience are all reviewed before approval, and reviews only come from jobs booked and completed through the platform.
Costs & guides
- Boat winterisation: the UK checklist and what it costs
Engine, water systems, batteries and covers — the full winterisation sequence, when to book it, and indicative UK prices.
- Marina berthing fees UK: how annual and visitor rates are worked out
How marinas price by metre, what the extras really are, and what a UK annual berth costs at different lengths.
Other marine services
Get quotes for riggers & sailmakers
Describe the work, your berth and your timeframe. We put it in front of vetted professionals nearby and you compare up to three private quotes — free, with no obligation to book.