Bolo
Contributing Partner
Right now my mast is in a horizontal, rather then vertical position in my E32-3, laying upon a few saw horses in the yard at my marina. It was long over due for an overhaul (new sheaves, fittings, standing rigging, halyards, etc.) so the mast was pulled and the yard got right to work on it. Everything was completed without too much fuss but the mast can’t be re-stepped because the riggers are waiting for just one part from Rig-Rite that has been on order since Jan 18, 2023. It’s a Kenyon exit block, part #K-11199P.
For those of you not familiar with Rig-Rite (https://www.rigrite.com/) they are a supplier of spars, rigging and hardware mostly (if not exclusively) for companies that have closed their doors, Kenyon, the makers of my spars being one of them. I’ve dealt with Rig-Rite before and although they did have the part I wanted it was expensive (for what it was) and took a long time getting to me. But this case has been particularly exasperating because they hardly ever answer the phone, never return my emails and basically suck at customer service. The marina did finally reach someone there who said she couldn’t check on the order since everyone was at the Miami boat show! That ends this Sunday so I’m hoping that this situation will resolve itself in someway soon. If the part can’t be had then a substitute will have to be found and will probably require some custom work to the mast to make it fit. $$$$
Why am I posting this story? I suspect a lot of sailors on this site know about Rig-Rite but for those of you who don’t know about this less than reliable source for spars and parts….beware. Stay tuned.
For those of you not familiar with Rig-Rite (https://www.rigrite.com/) they are a supplier of spars, rigging and hardware mostly (if not exclusively) for companies that have closed their doors, Kenyon, the makers of my spars being one of them. I’ve dealt with Rig-Rite before and although they did have the part I wanted it was expensive (for what it was) and took a long time getting to me. But this case has been particularly exasperating because they hardly ever answer the phone, never return my emails and basically suck at customer service. The marina did finally reach someone there who said she couldn’t check on the order since everyone was at the Miami boat show! That ends this Sunday so I’m hoping that this situation will resolve itself in someway soon. If the part can’t be had then a substitute will have to be found and will probably require some custom work to the mast to make it fit. $$$$
Why am I posting this story? I suspect a lot of sailors on this site know about Rig-Rite but for those of you who don’t know about this less than reliable source for spars and parts….beware. Stay tuned.