Independent guide: Not affiliated with any builder. Many of these boats have been modified over decades; inspect the boat in front of you rather than relying on original specifications.
Quick answer
From the late 1960s to the 1990s Australia had a thriving production yacht industry, and many of its boats are still sailing. Their hulls are often robust, but after 35 to 50 years the rig's attachments — chainplates, mast steps, deck cores and spar fittings — matter as much as the wire. Many have original or undocumented chainplates, older furlers with discontinued parts, and rigs of unknown age. A re-rig on one of these boats is best planned as a system refresh.
Common issues on older Australian production yachts
| Issue | Why it happens | Service |
|---|---|---|
| Leaking, corroded chainplates | Decades of deck movement and failed sealant | Chainplate replacement |
| Soft deck around chainplates and mast | Water into cored decks | Deck repair before re-rig |
| Mast step corrosion (keel-stepped) | Bilge water and dissimilar metals | Mast-out service |
| Compression problems (deck-stepped) | Post or bulkhead deterioration | Structural repair |
| Discontinued furlers | Old units with no parts | Furler installation |
| Unknown rig age | Lost records, many owners | Complete re-rig |
| Old mast fittings | Discontinued extrusions | Mast repair or fabrication |
Well-known names
Owners of boats from builders and designs such as Cavalier, Duncanson, Northshore, Swarbrick (including the S&S 34), Clansman, Compass and the Hood trailer sailers will recognise many of these issues. Class and owners' associations are often an excellent source of model-specific knowledge on rig dimensions and known weak points.
Buying an older Australian yacht
- ask for any rigging invoices and records
- look at chainplates from inside the boat
- check for deck softness around the mast and shrouds
- assume the rig needs replacing if its age is unknown
- budget for chainplates and running rigging too
See buying a yacht with old rigging and pre-purchase rig inspection.
Costs
Many of these boats are 25 to 35 feet. See re-rig costs for a 25-foot, 30-foot and 35-foot yacht, and add chainplates and deck repairs as separate lines.
Related
Frequently asked questions
Is it worth re-rigging an older Australian-built yacht?
Many older Australian production yachts have strong hulls and loyal owners, and a re-rig can give them many more years of sailing. The key is to budget for the whole system — chainplates, mast step, deck fittings and spars — not just new wire, because these boats are often 35 to 50 years old.
Can I still get parts for an old Australian-built mast?
Sometimes the original extrusion or fittings are no longer made. Riggers can often fabricate or adapt spreader bases, tangs and masthead parts, but it can add time and cost. In some cases a new mast section is the more practical option.