Sailboat Rigger
R&W Rope- Sailboat Rigger
Company Profile
R&W Rope is a family-owned rope and rigging company based in New Bedford, Massachusetts. It has been in the rope business since 1985 and today serves customers across marine, industrial, utility, arborist, climbing, safety/rescue, and recreational markets.
The company was started by Rod McCollester in 1985. It began with Rod selling rope from a hand-me-down car and grew into a company with about 30 employees and more than 150 years of combined rope, splicing, rigging, and customer-service experience.
Their headquarters is in New Bedford, MA. They have a 35,000-square-foot state-of-the-art service and storage facility, with a full rigging shop, warehouse, splicing, custom fabrication, and mobile rigging capabilities.
The R&W Rope business includes:
Rope sales — thousands of rope and hardware products
Custom rope splicing and fabrication
Rigging solutions
Marine and sailing equipment
Utility and electrical-utility rope
Crane and heavy-lifting lines and slings
Arborist and climbing ropes
Safety/rescue equipment
Tow and recovery ropes
Architectural/design rope
Paracord and recreational products
They currently advertise 10,000+ SKUs from more than 50 vendors, so they function partly as a large distributor rather than manufacturing every rope themselves.
Their history
The company was started by Rod McCollester in 1985. It began with Rod selling rope from a hand-me-down car and grew into a company with about 30 employees and more than 150 years of combined rope, splicing, rigging, and customer-service experience.
Interestingly, R&W Rope has been used on Hollywood productions, including Pirates of the Caribbean and Master and Commander.
Position Profile
The Sailboat Rigger is responsible for the installation, inspection, maintenance, repair, and adjustment of sailing vessel rigging systems. This position works with standing and running rigging, masts, booms, furling systems, winches, blocks, lines, and associated hardware to ensure vessels are safe, reliable, and properly configured for their intended use.
The ideal candidate has hands-on experience with sailboats and marine rigging, strong mechanical aptitude, attention to detail, and a commitment to safety and quality workmanship. The position involves both shop-based fabrication and field work aboard vessels at marinas, boatyards, and customer locations.
Essential Responsibilities
Install, inspect, maintain, troubleshoot, and repair sailboat rigging systems.
Install and service standing rigging, including wire, rod, and synthetic-fiber systems.
Install and service running rigging, including halyards, sheets, control lines, furling lines, and preventers.
Perform rope splicing, including eye splices, soft shackles, and other marine applications.
Measure, fabricate, terminate, and install wire and synthetic standing rigging.
Install and maintain blocks, shackles, swivels, turnbuckles, terminals, chainplates, toggles, and other rigging hardware.
Assist with mast stepping, unstepping, tuning, and commissioning.
Inspect masts, booms, spreaders, tangs, chainplates, terminals, and associated hardware for wear, corrosion, damage, or improper installation.
Diagnose rigging problems and recommend appropriate repairs or upgrades.
Work safely at heights aboard vessels using appropriate climbing, fall-protection, and lifting equipment.
Operate lifts, cranes, winches, and other equipment as required.
Read and interpret rigging diagrams, equipment specifications, measurements, and manufacturer instructions.
Maintain accurate measurements, work orders, inspection records, and material documentation.
Communicate professionally with customers regarding vessel condition, recommended repairs, and completed work.
Maintain a clean, organized, and safe work environment.
Follow company safety procedures and applicable marine-industry standards.
Perform other duties as assigned.
Qualifications
Previous experience working on sailboats, marine systems, rigging, or a closely related trade.
Strong mechanical aptitude and ability to troubleshoot equipment.
Ability to work comfortably at heights and in confined or physically demanding environments.
Ability to use common hand and power tools safely.
Ability to accurately measure and document dimensions.
Strong attention to detail.
Ability to work independently as well as part of a team.
Valid driver's license and reliable transportation.
Ability to lift and carry materials and equipment as required.
Preferred
Professional sailboat rigging experience.
Experience with wire and synthetic standing rigging.
Rope-splicing experience.
Experience with mast stepping and tuning.
Experience with furling systems, winches, blocks, and deck hardware.
Familiarity with ABYC standards and marine rigging best practices.
Experience with cranes, forklifts, aerial lifts, or other material-handling equipment.
Experience working aloft.
US Sailing, ABYC, or other relevant marine-industry training or certifications.
Skills and Abilities
Excellent mechanical and problem-solving skills.
Strong understanding of sailing vessel rigging systems.
High level of craftsmanship and attention to detail.
Ability to work safely and efficiently under changing weather and job-site conditions.
Strong verbal and written communication skills.
Professional customer-service skills.
Ability to prioritize multiple projects and meet deadlines.
Willingness to learn new rigging technologies, products, and techniques.
Physical Requirements
The position requires frequent standing, walking, climbing, bending, reaching, kneeling, and working in awkward positions aboard vessels. The employee must be capable of working at significant heights and on elevated platforms, and must be able to lift, carry, and maneuver rigging materials and equipment as required.
Work may occur outdoors in varying weather conditions, including heat, cold, wind, and rain.
Safety Responsibilities
Safety is a fundamental responsibility of the Sailboat Rigger. The employee is expected to:
Follow all company safety policies and procedures.
Properly use personal protective equipment.
Follow established procedures for working aloft and fall protection.
Inspect tools, lifting equipment, climbing equipment, and rigging gear before use.
Properly secure loads and work areas.
Report unsafe conditions, damaged equipment, and incidents immediately.
Maintain a safety-first approach when working aboard vessels and in boatyard environments.
Compensation & Benefits
Compensation: Competitive annual salary
Benefits include:
Health, dental, and vision insurance
Paid time off
Paid holidays
Retirement plan
Training and professional-development opportunities
Employee discounts
Company-provided tools and equipment as applicable
About the Position
This is a hands-on trade position for someone who takes pride in doing high-quality work and wants to build a career in the marine industry. The successful candidate will have the opportunity to work on a wide variety of sailing vessels and rigging systems while developing advanced skills in ropework, mechanical systems, marine hardware, and vessel rigging.
We are looking for someone who is safety-conscious, mechanically capable, dependable, and passionate about sailing and marine craftsmanship.
R&W Rope- Sailboat Rigger
Company Profile
R&W Rope is a family-owned rope and rigging company based in New Bedford, Massachusetts. It has been in the rope business since 1985 and today serves customers across marine, industrial, utility, arborist, climbing, safety/rescue, and recreational markets.
The company was started by Rod McCollester in 1985. It began with Rod selling rope from a hand-me-down car and grew into a company with about 30 employees and more than 150 years of combined rope, splicing, rigging, and customer-service experience.
Their headquarters is in New Bedford, MA. They have a 35,000-square-foot state-of-the-art service and storage facility, with a full rigging shop, warehouse, splicing, custom fabrication, and mobile rigging capabilities.
The R&W Rope business includes:
Rope sales — thousands of rope and hardware products
Custom rope splicing and fabrication
Rigging solutions
Marine and sailing equipment
Utility and electrical-utility rope
Crane and heavy-lifting lines and slings
Arborist and climbing ropes
Safety/rescue equipment
Tow and recovery ropes
Architectural/design rope
Paracord and recreational products
They currently advertise 10,000+ SKUs from more than 50 vendors, so they function partly as a large distributor rather than manufacturing every rope themselves.
Their history
The company was started by Rod McCollester in 1985. It began with Rod selling rope from a hand-me-down car and grew into a company with about 30 employees and more than 150 years of combined rope, splicing, rigging, and customer-service experience.
Interestingly, R&W Rope has been used on Hollywood productions, including Pirates of the Caribbean and Master and Commander.
Position Profile
The Sailboat Rigger is responsible for the installation, inspection, maintenance, repair, and adjustment of sailing vessel rigging systems. This position works with standing and running rigging, masts, booms, furling systems, winches, blocks, lines, and associated hardware to ensure vessels are safe, reliable, and properly configured for their intended use.
The ideal candidate has hands-on experience with sailboats and marine rigging, strong mechanical aptitude, attention to detail, and a commitment to safety and quality workmanship. The position involves both shop-based fabrication and field work aboard vessels at marinas, boatyards, and customer locations.
Essential Responsibilities
Install, inspect, maintain, troubleshoot, and repair sailboat rigging systems.
Install and service standing rigging, including wire, rod, and synthetic-fiber systems.
Install and service running rigging, including halyards, sheets, control lines, furling lines, and preventers.
Perform rope splicing, including eye splices, soft shackles, and other marine applications.
Measure, fabricate, terminate, and install wire and synthetic standing rigging.
Install and maintain blocks, shackles, swivels, turnbuckles, terminals, chainplates, toggles, and other rigging hardware.
Assist with mast stepping, unstepping, tuning, and commissioning.
Inspect masts, booms, spreaders, tangs, chainplates, terminals, and associated hardware for wear, corrosion, damage, or improper installation.
Diagnose rigging problems and recommend appropriate repairs or upgrades.
Work safely at heights aboard vessels using appropriate climbing, fall-protection, and lifting equipment.
Operate lifts, cranes, winches, and other equipment as required.
Read and interpret rigging diagrams, equipment specifications, measurements, and manufacturer instructions.
Maintain accurate measurements, work orders, inspection records, and material documentation.
Communicate professionally with customers regarding vessel condition, recommended repairs, and completed work.
Maintain a clean, organized, and safe work environment.
Follow company safety procedures and applicable marine-industry standards.
Perform other duties as assigned.
Qualifications
Previous experience working on sailboats, marine systems, rigging, or a closely related trade.
Strong mechanical aptitude and ability to troubleshoot equipment.
Ability to work comfortably at heights and in confined or physically demanding environments.
Ability to use common hand and power tools safely.
Ability to accurately measure and document dimensions.
Strong attention to detail.
Ability to work independently as well as part of a team.
Valid driver's license and reliable transportation.
Ability to lift and carry materials and equipment as required.
Preferred
Professional sailboat rigging experience.
Experience with wire and synthetic standing rigging.
Rope-splicing experience.
Experience with mast stepping and tuning.
Experience with furling systems, winches, blocks, and deck hardware.
Familiarity with ABYC standards and marine rigging best practices.
Experience with cranes, forklifts, aerial lifts, or other material-handling equipment.
Experience working aloft.
US Sailing, ABYC, or other relevant marine-industry training or certifications.
Skills and Abilities
Excellent mechanical and problem-solving skills.
Strong understanding of sailing vessel rigging systems.
High level of craftsmanship and attention to detail.
Ability to work safely and efficiently under changing weather and job-site conditions.
Strong verbal and written communication skills.
Professional customer-service skills.
Ability to prioritize multiple projects and meet deadlines.
Willingness to learn new rigging technologies, products, and techniques.
Physical Requirements
The position requires frequent standing, walking, climbing, bending, reaching, kneeling, and working in awkward positions aboard vessels. The employee must be capable of working at significant heights and on elevated platforms, and must be able to lift, carry, and maneuver rigging materials and equipment as required.
Work may occur outdoors in varying weather conditions, including heat, cold, wind, and rain.
Safety Responsibilities
Safety is a fundamental responsibility of the Sailboat Rigger. The employee is expected to:
Follow all company safety policies and procedures.
Properly use personal protective equipment.
Follow established procedures for working aloft and fall protection.
Inspect tools, lifting equipment, climbing equipment, and rigging gear before use.
Properly secure loads and work areas.
Report unsafe conditions, damaged equipment, and incidents immediately.
Maintain a safety-first approach when working aboard vessels and in boatyard environments.
Compensation & Benefits
Compensation: Competitive annual salary
Benefits include:
Health, dental, and vision insurance
Paid time off
Paid holidays
Retirement plan
Training and professional-development opportunities
Employee discounts
Company-provided tools and equipment as applicable
About the Position
This is a hands-on trade position for someone who takes pride in doing high-quality work and wants to build a career in the marine industry. The successful candidate will have the opportunity to work on a wide variety of sailing vessels and rigging systems while developing advanced skills in ropework, mechanical systems, marine hardware, and vessel rigging.
We are looking for someone who is safety-conscious, mechanically capable, dependable, and passionate about sailing and marine craftsmanship.