Rigworks
Rigworks is a privately held, San Diego-based full-service marine rigging shop founded in 1992, serving sailboat and yacht owners across Southern California with standing rigging, running rigging, hydraulic, spar, and inspection services through a hybrid shop and field-service model.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1992
- HeadquartersSan Diego, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Rigworks does
Rigworks is a privately held, full-service marine rigging company founded in 1992 and headquartered on Shelter Island in San Diego, California. The company designs, fabricates, installs, inspects, and services standing rigging (wire, rod, Dyform, composite), running rigging (halyards, sheets, and control lines in Dacron, Dyneema, Vectran, PBO, and Dynice Dux), hydraulic sail-handling systems, spars and masts (stepping, commissioning, decommissioning), winches, furlers, and lifelines. Its core technical capabilities include in-house cold head rod rigging up to -115 and wire swaging up to 9/16", supported by certified service center status with NAVTEC, Harken, Reckmann, Sailtec, Holmatro, Cariboni, Fleet-Hydrol, and Enerpac.
The business operates on a hybrid shop-plus-field-service go-to-market model. A fully equipped fabrication shop at 2801 Carleton Street handles complex standing rigging and mast work, while experienced riggers are dispatched to customer marinas across Southern California (San Diego, Dana Point, Newport Beach, and LA County including Marina del Rey, King Harbor, and Cabrillo Marina) for on-site work. Pricing is quote-based, with unit pricing on three tiers of rig inspection (visual, jack-down, full mast-out) and hourly billing of $190/hr for hydraulic services, supplemented by hardware sales of rope, furlers, winches, Spinlock Deckvest lifejackets, and chandlery items.
Rigworks is owner-operated by Ray Pope and counts among its customers both individual cruising sailors and high-end racing and offshore yacht programs, including TP52, Gunboat 62, Swan 56, and Sparkman & Stephens 51'/57' projects. Revenue is generated through professional rigging services (the majority) plus hardware and rope sales (over-the-counter and embedded in service jobs). The company has held the exclusive NAVTEC Certified full-service Pacific Rim repair center designation, a credential that has become structurally more valuable since Navtec exited the market.
Rigworks firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Rigworks
- Legal name
- Rigworks Inc.
- Website
- https://rigworks.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1992
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Rigworks is a privately held, San Diego-based full-service marine rigging shop founded in 1992, serving sailboat and yacht owners across Southern California with standing rigging, running rigging, hydraulic, spar, and inspection services through a hybrid shop and field-service model.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Rigworks industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Marine Rigging Services
- NAICS
- Ship Building and Repairing (336611)
- SIC
- Ship & Boat Building & Repairing (3730)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Cargo Handling & Lifting Equipment (Cranes, Derricks, Hoists) (IMAJAIAB)
Keywords
Where Rigworks is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- San Diego
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices4 records
Markets served
Rigworks business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Rigging Services: Professional rigging services including standing rigging fabrication and installation, running rigging supply and installation, rig inspections, hydraulic services, winch service, and mast commissioning/decommissioning. Services are provided both on-site at customer marinas and at the Rigworks shop for fabrication-intensive work.
- Rigging Products and Materials: Sale of rigging materials including standing rigging (wire, rod, composite), running rigging cordage (Dacron, Dyneema, Vectran, PBO, Dynice Dux), hardware (furlers, winches, lifelines), and related marine equipment. Products are sold as part of service jobs and over-the-counter at the shop.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Level A - Visual Inspection |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Level B - Jack Down / Loose Rigging |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Level C - Full Service Mast Out |
| Usage-based | Pay-as-you-go | Hydraulic Services |
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels4 records
Rigworks product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Rigworks operates a full-service marine rigging shop in San Diego, California, fabricating, installing, inspecting, and repairing standing rigging (wire, rod, composite) and running rigging (halyards, sheets, control lines) for sailboats and yachts. The company dispatches experienced riggers to customer marinas across Southern California and brings boats to its Point Loma shop for fabrication-intensive work. It also distributes high-performance cordage and hardware from brands such as Samson, Harken, Spinlock, and Facnor.
Product overview
Rigworks is a full-service sailboat rigging company serving Southern California since 1992. Their portfolio centers on two core service categories: (1) Rigging Services including standing rigging (wire, rod, Dyform, composite), running rigging (halyards, sheets, control lines), rig inspection, hydraulic systems service (certified for Navtec, Reckmann, Harken, and other major brands), and mast/spar commissioning and decommissioning; and (2) Hardware Products including furlers (headsail, top-down, code 0, furling booms), winches, lifelines, spars (whisker/spin poles, V-booms), and safety equipment (Spinlock Deckvests). They also offer powerboat services for hydraulics, davits, dock lines and mooring systems, and sell various rope products including Dacron, Dyneema, Vectran, Dynice DUX, and PBO from brands like Samson and Gottifredi Maffioli. Related products include lazy jack systems, masthead lights, anti-corrosive compounds, backstay adjusters, chafe protection (Dyneema sleeves, PROtect Tape), and spreader tip cups.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Standing Rigging Fabrication and Installation
- Running Rigging Supply and Installation
- Rig Inspection
Quantifiable outcome
- Rig inspections satisfy insurance underwriter requirements for coverage documentation
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use Rigworks
Customer profileNamed customers10 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Rigworks technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
Rigworks partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- NAVTECcoreNAVTEC certification - Rigworks is the only certified full-service NAVTEC repair center in the Pacific Rim, covering hydraulics, fiber systems, and rod systems. This certification provides exclusive service capability for NAVTEC products in the region. Note: Navtec is no longer in business, making Rigworks's certification and parts inventory particularly valuable.
- HarkencoreHarken hydraulic cylinder service and general Harken product expertise including electric winches, blocks, and hardware. Rigworks services and installs Harken products and is an authorized service provider.
- ReckmanncoreCertified Reckmann hydraulic system service provider. Reckmann is a manufacturer of hydraulic sail handling systems including furling and backstay adjusters.
- SpinlockcoreRegistered Spinlock dealer offering Deckvest lifejackets and accessories. Rigworks sells Spinlock products in-store and provides Deckvest maintenance and service. Actively participates in Spinlock trade-in promotions.
- SamsoncoreSamson distributor - Samson manufactures high-quality marine rope. Rigworks is proud to be a Samson distributor with an extensive rope wall selection for halyards, sheets, and control lines.
- Gottifredi MaffioliminorGottifredi Maffioli rope distributor - Italian manufacturer of high-quality ropes, braids, and twisted yarns using high tenacity synthetic fibers. Rigworks offers Maffioli rope in-store and can place special orders built to customer specifications.
- Hall SparscoreHall Spars products including carbon fiber masts, booms, and Quickvang systems. Rigworks installs Hall Spars products and has completed multiple installations including new carbon masts and custom vangs.
- Southern SparscoreSouthern Spars K49 standing rigging installed on customer vessels. Rigworks works with Southern Spars products as part of complete rigging solutions.
- AndersenminorAndersen winch dealer offering instant rebates on popular winch models. Rigworks assists customers with Andersen winch orders and rebate processing.
- New England RopesminorDyneema lifelines distributor. Rigworks offers Dyneema lifelines from New England Ropes as an alternative to traditional wire lifelines.
- Harrison MarineminorCollaboration on spreader replacement projects. Rigworks works with Harrison Marine for assistance on complex spreader repair jobs.
- Driscoll Boat WorksminorBoat yard coordination for haulout and commissioning services. Rigworks coordinates with Driscoll Boat Works on Shelter Island for mast stepping and commissioning projects.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves9 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Rigworks competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Bacon Sails & Marine Supplies: Full-service marine rigging shop and chandlery based in Seattle and other locations. Directly comparable to Rigworks as a regional sailboat rigging specialist offering standing/running rigging, hardware, and on-water service.
- Svendsen's Marine: Bay Area marine chandlery and rigging services provider. Comparable to Rigworks as a West Coast sailboat rigging specialist serving a major California sailing hub with similar service and hardware offerings.
- Hood Sailmakers: Sailmaker with rigging services across multiple East Coast and Southern California locations. Comparable to Rigworks as a one-stop provider of sailing hardware, rigging, and service to cruising and racing owners.
- Ullman Sails: Global sailmaker and rigging service network with multiple loft locations. Comparable to Rigworks in serving racing and cruising sailboat owners with combined sail, hardware, and rigging expertise.
Emerging players
- Sailrite: Direct-to-consumer marine DIY supplier of canvas, sailmaking tools, cordage, and rigging hardware. Comparable as an emerging channel addressing sailboat owners' rigging material needs, although focused on self-install rather than full-service rigging work.
Others
- Hall Spars: Manufacturer of carbon fiber spars, masts, booms, and rigging systems. Comparable to Rigworks as an ecosystem participant in the mast and rigging supply chain; Hall Spars is a supplier whose products Rigworks installs and services.
- North Sails: Global sailmaker with a service network across major sailing hubs. Comparable to Rigworks as an ecosystem participant serving high-end racing and cruising owners, but North Sails' core product is sails rather than rigging fabrication and service.
Broad incumbents
- West Marine: Largest U.S. marine retail chain offering chandlery, hardware, and basic rigging supplies. Comparable to Rigworks at the chandlery tier but operates as a broad incumbent across all boating categories rather than specializing in rigging services.
- Defender Industries: Large U.S. mail-order and online marine retailer selling rigging hardware, cordage, and safety equipment. Comparable to Rigworks on the chandlery/hardware side but without the field-service or custom fabrication model.
Regional players
- Fisheries Supply: Long-established Pacific Northwest marine chandlery serving commercial and recreational customers. Comparable to Rigworks as a marine hardware/equipment provider, but operating in a different U.S. region.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Rigworks social profiles
Digital presenceRigworks financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Rigworks leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
Rigworks funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Rigworks M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Rigworks
What does Rigworks do?
Rigworks operates a full-service marine rigging shop in San Diego, California, fabricating, installing, inspecting, and repairing standing rigging (wire, rod, composite) and running rigging (halyards, sheets, control lines) for sailboats and yachts. The company dispatches experienced riggers to customer marinas across Southern California and brings boats to its Point Loma shop for fabrication-intensive work. It also distributes high-performance cordage and hardware from brands such as Samson, Harken, Spinlock, and Facnor.
Is Rigworks a public or private company?
Rigworks is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Rigworks founded?
Rigworks was founded in 1992. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Rigworks based?
Rigworks is headquartered in San Diego, United States, in the North America region.
How does Rigworks make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Rigging Services are the primary driver. The others are rigging Products and Materials.
Who are Rigworks's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Bacon Sails & Marine Supplies, Svendsen's Marine, Hood Sailmakers and Ullman Sails. Sailrite is listed as an emerging player. Others are Hall Spars and North Sails. Broad incumbents are West Marine and Defender Industries. Fisheries Supply is listed as a regional player.
Does Rigworks have an API?
No public API is recorded for Rigworks.
What industry is Rigworks in?
Rigworks's product category is Marine Rigging Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMAJAIAB, Cargo Handling & Lifting Equipment (Cranes, Derricks, Hoists). Its NAICS code is 336611 and its SIC code is 3730.