Rig Magic engineer, Jonny Ratcliffe, has proved yet again he and helm, Tim Harrison, were among the best on the water, winning the European championship and coming fifth in the world championships for B14s this year.

He and Tim travelled from Rig Magic's Suffolk base to Carnac in France where they competed against more than 30 other B14s.

Customers from New Zealand to Mexico to Finland . . .

Our international status in the sailing world seems to be growing. Just before Christmas we had a call from an Oyster 56 owner with his boat in Croatia. Within a couple of days Nigel found himself on a plane to Zagreb to carry out a complete rig survey on the five year old boat.

If a New Zealander with a boat in Croatia can scheme us to do a rig survey for him, he obviously thought we knew our stuff. Then in March we had a call from a potential Discovery 55 owner in Mexico wanting us to carry out a complete rig check and estimate for work amounting to £11,000-plus. And in April a customer in Finland called us wanting a similar service on a 37-footer. Maybe you should get us to take a look at your rig too. Give us a call on 01473 655089.

Arion treks across Scotland

Earlier this year we carried out a major re-fit to Arion, a Sparkman and Stephens Classic 1970s Swan 48. She then set off for a season around and through Scotland - see pictures left.

In the autumn we completed a total rig refit for Josephine, a 51’ Andre Hoek designed aluminium cutter. This very beautiful yacht has recently returned from The Arctic circleand Norway and our brief was a complete rig overhaul including new standingrigging, carbon spinnaker pole and revised handling systems, boom respray plus a Code 0 (free flying headsail) system and upgraded deck gear. This,before setting sail for new adventures.

Another complete rig refurbishmentfor a Sigma 41, with which we are well acquainted havingre-rigged her in the past prior to long distance travels. Her owners areplanning a trip to Brazil,South Africaand far flung places along the way. Her route will take them away from easyrepair and replacement facilities and we are proud to have been entrusted withworking on their travelling home.

Jonny be Good!

A few months ago a Dutchman calledinto Rig Magic to say his roller furling gear had become stiff and he now hadto furl the sail by hand. He had just come across the North Sea in very windy and choppyconditions.

Engineer, JonnyRatcliffe, went and had a look at his boat moored in Suffolk Yacht Harbour. Hefound the bearings in the drum had disappeared, causing the drum to seize, sowhen the owner was furling the system by hand, he was in fact undoing therigging screw! The Dutchman was within two threads of the rigging screw fromlosing his complete rig. Within less than three hours, Jonny had fixed upa temporary forestay, taken the furling system to the workshop, unseized thedrum, fitted new bearings, rebuilt the system and had the whole lot back upagain. The Dutchman went away a very happy man.