Case studies in practice
Magic Carpet-e: Rigging Projects worked with designer Guillaume Verdier, Persico Marine and North Sails. Rigging Projects was instrumental in a bold conceptual shift for this size of yacht: moving from a traditional eight-winch/ forward pit layout to an innovative six- winch design. This wasn't just about reducing numbers; it was about enhancing sail handling and optimising performance. Their involvement kicked off with extensive upfront planning to tailor the deck layout around the six-winch system. Working closely with sail selection data provided by Jez Elliott at North Sails, they meticulously simulated every conceivable sail manoeuvre. This rigorous approach ensured maximum sailing efficiency and control, while simultaneously minimising deck clutter, winch count and overall weight. Early involvement led to Rigging Projects supplying the full deck hardware package. Project manager Ed Bell says, ‘It’s
Hetairos' upgraded jib cars,making a significantweight saving and reducing friction
Royal Huisman commissioning them to design the world’s largest cable-driven steering system for Nilaya (151ft), where the owner wanted authentic helm feel without resorting to power assistance. The solution combined their geared hubs with a suite of low-friction blocks and steering components, pushing the boundaries of traditional steering while maintaining tactile feedback. This work has since filtered into other
projects, from resolving helm-load issues on large catamarans (notoriously heavy on the helm in reaching conditions) to delivering the steering system on the Wally Rocket 71 Django, the current Maxi Worlds winner. Headboard cars are another Rigging
Projects speciality. Beyond Hetairos they've supplied numerous of headboard cars that to date have a combined milage usage of 1.75million miles, including a 15-tonne unit for Raven, the foiling Botin-designed Baltic 111, and are now building the largest ever headboard car for an 85m superyacht.
End-to-end service One of the reasons Rigging Projects is winning this kind of business is the added value of providing clients with detailed load calculations and analysis resulting in improved sailing system design and functionality. ‘We don’t charge for this service, although perhaps we should,’ laughs Tobias Hochreutener, founder of Rigging Projects. ‘As well as specifying the products we do a lot of front-end analysis and follow-up work towards the end of the project. It’s an end-to-end service that you won’t get from other hardware manufacturers.’ That’s added value for the client, but it also closes the loop
been a long road to get here and a huge amount of work went into making this project a reality. It’s a big well done to Rigging Projects for their involvement and
between concept and finished yacht. ‘It’s very important to us to make the
hardware fit the boat, not the boat fit the hardware,’ says Nick Black. ‘That mindset is what keeps owners and designers coming back.’ That same philosophy underpins the
company’s software development. Every part delivered is catalogued in the Rigging Projects app, giving builders and owners an accessible record that simplifies ordering, spares, and refits as well as sending service reminders. For build yards, or individual customers, every block, car, and lock can be identified with a few taps.
A team embedded in sailing Another of Rigging Projects’ strengths is its people. Many senior managers are sailors themselves, with backgrounds in professional race programmes and America’s Cup campaigns. They understand the practical demands placed on equipment in real-world conditions, and they speak the same language as their clients. That ethos is embodied by co-founders
Tobias Hochreutener and Nick Black, and it extends across the business. Head of design Antoine Delaperriere spent time at BAR Honda and Williams F1, focusing on gearbox design. Head of engineering development, Chris Whitwam, previously ran his own CNC firm (that was eventually brought in-house by Rigging Projects) and he skippered the Spirit 100 Gaia.
Staying true to their roots Rigging Projects has grown froma small boutique rigging consultancy into a multifaceted engineering firmcapable of fitting out a superyacht fromtop to bottom.
passion. I can’t thank everyone enough for putting their heart and soul into this.’
Swan 100 Savuke: Originally launched in 2006, the remit from the owner’s team was to optimise and modernise all sail- handling systems in order to enable the yacht to be competitive once again on the superyacht regatta circuit. Collaborating with BM Composites, Marine Results and with the support of Nautor Swan Global Services, this culminated in the production and installation of a complete Rigging Projects design and engineered deck hardware package along with the addition of a bowsprit and halyard locks.
TP52 Gladiator: By adopting Rigging Projects’ X-Car traveller system, the team experienced a significant reduction in friction to the extent that they could increase their fast traveller limit from nine to 13kts – a performance edge that has since attracted numerous other TP52 Super Series programmes. Dave Freddie Carr, a trimmer on Gladiator, says the X-Car is “an absolute game changer” and main trimmer Chris Hosking says he’s a big fan.
Rigging Projects' ultra-low friction blocks pictured along side the original Hetairos' mast collar blocks
Yet despite the scale of their current projects, they remain focused on the values that built their reputation: agility, responsiveness and above all, innovation. As the size and ambition of yachts continues to grow, so does the demand for bespoke engineering and custom solutions. Rigging Projects has shown not only that they can meet that demand, but also that they continue to push boundaries - whether through the world’s largest headboard cars, a new generation of steering systems, or a simple but transformative bobstay lock. For Rigging Projects, scaling up has
not meant slowing down.
www.riggingprojects.com
❑ SEAHORSE 75
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88 |
Page 89 |
Page 90 |
Page 91 |
Page 92 |
Page 93 |
Page 94 |
Page 95 |
Page 96 |
Page 97 |
Page 98 |
Page 99 |
Page 100 |
Page 101 |
Page 102 |
Page 103 |
Page 104
