Gosport Riggers

[doris]

Having just bought a brand new boat, the boat manufacturing was brilliant, am v pleased, but the standard of work by the French riggers was very amateur and slapdash. Getting the boat back in Gossie I had JTR Rigging go over the entire rig and all string fittings.
I would like to flag up what a fanatic job JTR have done, always gone the extra mile, always available and open to all input.
Just thought I’d mention it, credit where its due.
By the way, when presented with photos and a bill the yard did not argue for one second so all sorted properly and amicably.

 

[ashtead]

Yes the new owners (ie took on from Jerry) of JTR have done a couple of jobs for me including sorting out and fitting a bow spirit for the cruising chute and very helpful and efficient. Enjoy your new French boat . I believe they were previously with Performance rigging in Hamble

 

[RogerJolly]

I like their vibe.

I find most rigging firms' websites way too fancy for me, all superyachts and racing - can't imagine they'd be bothered with my little tub.

Or is it just all show and they're all happy to turn their hand to pretty much anything?

 

[ridgy]

Seems astonishing that JPK would not be on top of the rigging. What sort of issues did you have?

 

[ashtead]

My impression is any rigging job on a cruising boat. Just send them an email and they get back to you unlike so many other marine suppliers who seem indifferent to customers. They also replaced our lifelines as a smaller job though.

 

[Steamkettle]

The presence of the original Jerry the Rigger was one of the reasons I kept my boat in Gosport; his successors Gordy and Ross have proved equally excellent. The biggest difference now though is that they're easy to find. Jerry is a lovely man but sometimes, faced with putting a bet on finding him against a bet on Lord Lucan riding Shergar to win the National, my money would have been on the nag.

Also, right next to JTR is Carl of YachtCarePlus who has proved to be one of the most dependable craftsmen I've ever come across. These days its rare to find someone who does what they said they'll do at the time they said they'd do it. Both YCP and JTR are thoroughly professional businesses.

 

[ashtead]

Tell me what Carl does?

 

[PhillM]

Used them on Swift and they did an excellent job.

 

[SaltyC]

Not Gosport, but my impression of South Coast riggers is not good. A £30k job ( Complete rerig including mast) yet they missed the minor items they charged for.

Replace cabling - Not done.

Didn't clean contacts on wind Speed and Direction - , didn't work Quelle surprise after 6 months ashore.

Rigged mast and were going to walk away with furling line coiled on Pulpit. No pulleys on stanchions - there were when it left.

Saved pennies, BUT had to send two riggers 300 miles (each way) plus hotel to complete the work.

Incorrectly wired Nav lights.

 

[DJE]

Martin Leaning at Port Solent did an excellent job re-rigging our boat last winter. Basic web site but very responsive and helpful on the phone or in person.

 

[ashtead]

Yes have also used martin L historically -had a useful chat with him at boat show once on furlers.

 

[doris]

The presence of the original Jerry the Rigger was one of the reasons I kept my boat in Gosport; his successors Gordy and Ross have proved equally excellent. The biggest difference now though is that they're easy to find. Jerry is a lovely man but sometimes, faced with putting a bet on finding him against a bet on Lord Lucan riding Shergar to win the National, my money would have been on the nag.

Also, right next to JTR is Carl of YachtCarePlus who has proved to be one of the most dependable craftsmen I've ever come across. These days its rare to find someone who does what they said they'll do at the time they said they'd do it. Both YCP and JTR are thoroughly professional businesses.

To say nothing of Russel Rennison boat services. RR and Carl are excellent at what they do and very complementary.
Gosport is about 2/3 of the price of the Hamble pretty much across the board and usually much better quality, courtesy of these chaps.

 

[ithet]

+1 for new JTR guys. Made up new life lines the other winter. Came and measured up rather than relying on the old lines even though we are on the Hamble. Was cheaper than local rigger who just wanted old ones dropped off.

 

[davethedog]

We have just had Martin leaning at port Solent do some work on our in mast furling system and very pleased with the service and price. Nite that it is now under new ownership but same excellent service.

 

[doris]

Martin Leaning at Port Solent did an excellent job re-rigging our boat last winter. Basic web site but very responsive and helpful on the phone or in person.

Another good guy, a tad vague at times but always good work.

 

[Steamkettle]

Tell me what Carl does?

Glass fibre care & repair is his ultimate speciality but he'll undertake just about any shipwrighting job. I live a good distance from the boat and in the 8 years I've given him care of her he's looked after antifouling, hull & deck polishing etc, installing a windlass and new windlass platform, stern platform, hatches and a plethora of smaller tasks. I once watched him demolish a whole weekend's work on a substantial hole in a bow because he didn't believe he'd matched the gelcoat colour exactly. I couldn't tell the difference at all but he's a perfectionist; didn't charge the client a penny more.

 

[Steamkettle]

Some years back when faced with a few months spare living onboard while my missus was overseas working, I lent my unskilled hands to Jerry, Carl and Mike of Ocean Electronics at their respective workplaces. It gave me a fascinating insight into how they ran their (then) single-trader/sole craftsmen businesses and what they had to put up with from us, the owners. You can reasonably expect some owners to have unreasonable expectations, especially in the run-up to the sailing season but the worst example was one chap on in early April who wanted underwater lights put on his yacht. This was on a Friday and he wanted it done by Monday. When asked 'where's the boat' he answered "on a swinging mooring off Gosport Hard". "Have you booked a lift out"?, "No - I thought that was your job". Modesty prevents me detailing the response. There are those who demand much and when they get it then delay and delay over payment, the worst of which find fault after fault with the results, perhaps seeking to avoid paying altogether.

Those people should be beware, however: all local craftsmen talk about the owners in exactly the same way we share information about them. Many was the time when one's phone would ring and the craftsman would refuse to answer it, saying the caller had a bad reputation for paying or for being unreasonable. Sometimes they're so busy that they don't answer call from unknown numbers (the trick is to first visit in person and get your name & face known). However, I found that those who always paid promptly and who were prepared to look at things from the Craftsmen's perspective as well got a premium service. I have all my calls answered immediately and am regularly pleasantly surprised when one just turns up onboard 'to check how its all going', offering free advice and help in return for a brew. Then again, at Christmas I always tip with a case of beer......

Its all about mutual respect - but from what I saw that's not as common as we'd perhaps like to think.

 

[ashtead]

I believe Mike of ocean electronics now retired ? If so any alternatives known. I was asking about Carl as thought he might instal telescopic davits ?

 

[doris]

Seems astonishing that JPK would not be on top of the rigging. What sort of issues did you have?

A long story for another time and place

 

[doris]

I believe Mike of ocean electronics now retired ? If so any alternatives known. I was asking about Carl as thought he might instal telescopic davits ?

James from A1 Electronics is Gosport based.