Independent guide: Class rules govern many dinghy rigs. Check your class association's rules before changing anything.
Quick answer
Dinghies and skiffs have light, highly loaded rigs that are rigged and unrigged every session. Small-diameter wire kinks easily and fatigues quickly, trapeze wires carry crew weight, and rope is often thin high-modulus line. Replace kinked wires immediately, check pins and rings every time you rig, and follow class rules for any change.
Typical components
- unstayed masts (e.g. single-handed classes) or lightly stayed rigs
- side stays and forestay, often with adjusters
- trapeze wires and handles
- halyard locks and hooks
- carbon or aluminium spars
Checks every time you rig
- stays and trapeze wires free of kinks and broken strands
- split rings and pins secure
- halyard lock engaging properly
- mast step and gooseneck undamaged
- control lines free of chafe
Services small-boat sailors use
- custom wire and trapeze assemblies — see swaging
- rope splicing for tapered control lines and soft shackles
- spar repairs
Moving up
For larger boats, see trailer sailer rigging and racing yacht rigging.
Frequently asked questions
How often should dinghy rigging be replaced?
Dinghy stays and trapeze wires are small and cheap relative to keelboat rigging, and are loaded hard, so many sailors replace them every season or two, or immediately if kinked. Class rules may also specify materials and dimensions.