Where does the workshop take place?

Meeting point is Via Zoom; participants join online from wherever they keep their boat.

How long is the session?

The class runs approximately 45 minutes and includes a live Q&A segment.

Do I need my own boat to attend?

No—the workshop benefits boat owners and aspiring sailors; sharing photos of your rig makes feedback specific and actionable.

Will the instructor inspect my rig live?

Instructors can review photos and video you share during the session and offer annotated guidance, but no physical inspection is performed.

Who runs the workshop?

The session is sponsored and taught by The Yacht Rigger, as noted in the course listing.

What outcomes should I expect?

You’ll receive a printable inspection checklist, maintenance priorities, basic tuning guidance, and practical decision rules for repairs.

Rigging Fundamentals: Zoom Workshop for Sailors in St. Augustine | Sailing

Rigging Fundamentals with The Yacht Rigger is a focused, hands-on workshop delivered via Zoom that teaches sailors the essentials of a vessel's standing and running rigging. Based in St. Augustine, Florida, this 45-minute session translates the real-world feel of a working mast into clear inspection steps, maintenance priorities, and troubleshooting habits every skipper should own.

The session opens with a precise anatomy lesson: forestays, backstays, shrouds, turnbuckles, spreaders, halyards, sheets, blocks, and winches—each explained by function, failure mode, and the visible signs that warrant immediate attention. Using close-up photos, annotated diagrams, and video examples provided by The Yacht Rigger, instructors demonstrate how stainless steel fittings corrode, how synthetic lines show internal wear, and how chafe develops at predictable contact points. That clarity makes rigging less mysterious and far safer when you're heading out across the Matanzas River, threading the Intracoastal Waterway, or cruising toward offshore markers.

What makes this offering practical rather than theoretical is the workshop's prioritized inspection routine. You'll practice a step-by-step check—deck to masthead—that covers cotter pins and split rings, toggle connections, chainplates, halyard leads, and standing rigging tension. The class includes quick on-the-water fixes and clear decision rules: when a bend can be temporarily eased and when a rigging component must be replaced ashore. There's also an introductory segment on basic rig tuning so your boat sails predictably and handles without surprising weather helm or slack halyards.

St. Augustine's maritime environment—working marinas, shifting shoals, and steady sea breezes—gives this course immediate context. Learning rigging here ties into centuries of coastal seamanship; the city's long nautical history adds perspective to modern practices, reinforcing why regular inspection matters for safety and performance alike.

The workshop is ideal for owners who maintain their own boats, cruising sailors preparing for extended passages, and instructors who want a clearer checklist to teach from. Because it's on Zoom, students can share photos of their own rigs and receive personalized feedback. You'll leave with a printable inspection checklist, a prioritized maintenance plan, and the confidence to spot problems before they become breakdowns.

The class runs about 45 minutes and includes a live Q&A so you can ask about specific fittings or flag issues in photos. Because the meeting point is Via Zoom, the instructor can screen-share close-up photos and annotate them in real time, making diagnosis fast. Sponsored by The Yacht Rigger, the workshop also points to common parts lists and price ranges for replacement fittings so you can plan maintenance trips to local chandlers or a rigger shop.

About St Augustine Sailing

St Augustine Sailing operates premium sailing experiences and certified sailing courses in historic St. Augustine, Florida. The company offers a diverse lineup of public and private excursions — from shared brunch sails and sunset tasting cruises to intimate private dinner charters and wedding packages aboard luxury yachts. Educational offerings include ASA 103 Basic Coastal Cruising, Basic Keelboat prep classes, and hands-on day sails on 21–22-foot boats and larger Jeanneau models.

Each experience blends local maritime history, coastal wildlife viewing, and elevated hospitality. Professional skippers and trained crew lead all trips, delivering safety briefings, navigation expertise, and attentive service. On private dinner and tasting cruises, guests enjoy chef-prepared courses, sommelier-curated flights, and tailored menus served onboard. Photography-focused sails provide short portrait sessions against landmarks like the Lighthouse and Historic Bayfront.

St Augustine Sailing prioritizes safety and instruction for learners and recreational sailors. Courses emphasize seamanship, heavy-weather operation, docking skills, and practical boat handling on 30–45-foot auxiliary-powered catamarans. Short introductory sessions give beginners the confidence to handle sails and basic lines.

For weddings and private events, the company offers packaged options including on-yacht ceremonies, dockside Marriage Knot services, bouquets, photography, wedding cake, and charcuterie boards for small to mid-size groups. Vessel maintenance, certified instruction, and transparent booking policies support reliability and repeat business.

Located in downtown St. Augustine’s marina district, the operator leverages local knowledge of tides, wildlife patterns, and historic routes to create memorable, trustworthy coastal adventures for couples, families, learners, and food-and-wine enthusiasts. Bookings are available year-round with flexible cancellation policies online.