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Hold Fast: Traditional Skills for the Modern Sailor with Master Rigger Courtney J. Andersen

from $100.00

Dates: Saturdays, January 10 - February 7, 2026

Time: 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Rigging is the backbone of any sailing vessel—yet it’s often the least understood. Spaulding Marine Center is proud to present a rare opportunity to learn the art and science of rigging from Master Rigger Courtney Andersen, one of the few professionals in the country specializing exclusively in traditional and modern rigging.

For over 25 years, Courtney has worked as a professional rigger on tall ships, replica vessels, and museum craft across the globe. Beyond the waterfront, he has brought his expertise to Hollywood as the head rigger for major productions including Pirates of the Caribbean, Our Flag Means Death, and Chief of War, ensuring historical accuracy and functional authenticity on ship sets from the 14th–19th centuries. His unique career—bridging traditional seamanship, museum preservation, and film design—has made him one of the most sought-after rigging experts in the world.

This multi-part course is designed to give sailors, boat owners, and maritime enthusiasts a comprehensive foundation in rigging knowledge and practice. From the historic rig of Spaulding’s own 1885 sloop Freda to hands-on techniques like splicing and whipping, each session builds a deeper understanding of how rigs function, how to inspect them for safety, and how to maintain them across classic and modern contexts.

Whether you’re maintaining your own boat, preparing for offshore sailing, or simply curious about the craft that keeps vessels under sail, you’ll gain practical skills, historical context, and insider knowledge that isn’t taught anywhere else in the country.

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Dates: Saturdays, January 10 - February 7, 2026

Time: 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Rigging is the backbone of any sailing vessel—yet it’s often the least understood. Spaulding Marine Center is proud to present a rare opportunity to learn the art and science of rigging from Master Rigger Courtney Andersen, one of the few professionals in the country specializing exclusively in traditional and modern rigging.

For over 25 years, Courtney has worked as a professional rigger on tall ships, replica vessels, and museum craft across the globe. Beyond the waterfront, he has brought his expertise to Hollywood as the head rigger for major productions including Pirates of the Caribbean, Our Flag Means Death, and Chief of War, ensuring historical accuracy and functional authenticity on ship sets from the 14th–19th centuries. His unique career—bridging traditional seamanship, museum preservation, and film design—has made him one of the most sought-after rigging experts in the world.

This multi-part course is designed to give sailors, boat owners, and maritime enthusiasts a comprehensive foundation in rigging knowledge and practice. From the historic rig of Spaulding’s own 1885 sloop Freda to hands-on techniques like splicing and whipping, each session builds a deeper understanding of how rigs function, how to inspect them for safety, and how to maintain them across classic and modern contexts.

Whether you’re maintaining your own boat, preparing for offshore sailing, or simply curious about the craft that keeps vessels under sail, you’ll gain practical skills, historical context, and insider knowledge that isn’t taught anywhere else in the country.

Session 1: The Anatomy of a Rig: How It All Works

Saturday, January 10

Learn the foundations of rigging: standing vs. running rigging, evolution of materials from hemp to high-modulus synthetics, and the mechanics of tensioning. Participants will also explore connections, purchases, and hauling systems. A must for anyone who wants to understand what’s really holding their rig together.

Session 2: Techniques: Knots, Whippings, and Splices

Saturday, January 17

Hands-on session covering essential rigging skills: whipping, splicing (3-strand, 8-strand, 12-strand, wire, Dyneema), basic knots, seizings and lashings, and proper handling of lines. Walk away with the confidence to put real-world techniques to use aboard your boat.

Session 3: Inspecting Your Rig – What to Look For

Saturday, January 24

From mast step to masthead, this course teaches you how to assess the health of your rig. Learn what to check on chainplates, tensioning devices, wire and fiber standing rigging, blocks, fittings, and running rigging. Courtney will also cover safe practices for going aloft and inspecting connectors, eyes, and bands.

Session 4: Maintenance Matters: Stepping, Tensioning, Protecting

Saturday, January 31

Rigging needs care, whether it’s traditional tarred hemp or high-tech carbon. This session covers best practices for maintaining both classic and modern rigs, from coatings and finishes to mast stepping and pulling. Learn the history and traditions of rigging upkeep—and why even new materials are not “maintenance free.”

Session 5: Traditional Skills for the Modern Sailor

Saturday, February 7

The final workshop draws everything together, diving into traditional rigging techniques and their modern applications. Participants will leave with a holistic understanding of rigging systems, armed with skills to continue practicing and applying aboard their own vessels.