A Tip From Your Rigger-Decemeber 2009

Ever wonder why it is better to splice a line than tying a Bowline or Fisherman's knot?

Tying a knot is quick and fast and sometimes the only option. However, studies have shown that a knot takes away 40% of the breaking strength while splicing maintains 90%. We strongly recommend splicing all running rigging, if possible.

Contact us and we can assist you with all your splicing needs.

December 2009 eNewsletter

What's New?

KC Performance Rigging is now the Southern California Dealer for Alpha Rope. We carry approximately 30 spools in stock from cruising line to hi-end racing line for running rigging.

We also carry Dynex Dux, which is pre-stretched Dyneema rope. It is the newest generation of ultra high performance synthetic rope. Dynex Dux is more compact and far more abrasion resistant and is specially designed for wire cable replacement. We are the direct dealer and have multiple sizes in stock for all your rigging needs. This line works great for the lowest stretched halyards and is relatively cost effective.

Feel free to contact us if you are interested in getting custom colors for your boat. With free shipping we can provide you with any style or color you desire.

Cruising News

Want to celebrate the end of the year with a splash? The San Diego Parade of Lights is the perfect event to do just that. Every year San Diego celebrates the Christmas holiday with a boat parade. This year the event takes place December 13 and December 20. The boats line up at Shelter Island at 5:30pm, just as the fireworks begin. Last years theme was "A Pirates Christmas." For more information on this year's theme and to sign up, be sure to click here.
Need help decorating your boat? KC Performance Rigging can install lights in order for you to be a part of this spectacular event. This parade is fun for the whole family and you won't want to miss the dazzling parade of lights.

Customer Job of the Month!

We are proud to announce Scott Roberts as our customer of the month. Scott is the owner of a 1984 Beneteau 44, his first cruising boat.

Scott's goal has always been to live on his boat and eventually go on long cruising adventures. He currently uses the boat for weekend trips and afternoon sails.

His boat was in good condition but was in need of some TLC so we started with a standard rig inspection. Some of the alterations we made on Scott's boat include:

-Removed and replaced old traveler with a ball barren traveler.
-Installed new mainsheet blocks.
-Replaced old furling unit with a brand new Harken unit II. We also ran new lead gear.

Scott had a local welder build dinghy davits, which we installed the line purchase system and his bridal for the dinghy. Some additional upgrades include:

-Upgraded the lazy jacks, replaced the main topping lift.
-Installed two mast steps at the base.
-Installed winch pad on starboard side with a brand new self-tailing Lewmar winch.
-Mounted chalks on deck for the spinnaker pole.
-Fixed the spinnaker mast track control lines
-Installed jam cleats for halyards on the mast.
-Rebuilt all winches.
-Installed handle pocket on mast.
-Installed Harken bat car system for mainsail.

Lastly, Brian Janney with Quantum Sails set him up with a new main and jib.

Scott Roberts has been a great customer. We were extremely excited about this project because we were able to customize many aspects of his yacht to make it more user-friendly and sea worthy. Enjoy your time on the water, Scott, and thank you for your business!

Upgrades to M23

Pictures of the M23

Support arms have bolts that fit into trailer pads

This is one of the ways to keep the boat out of the water.

We got second place in the Delta Ditch for our class

The carbon bow sprit is made out of an old wind surfing mast.

The spinnaker sheets are blue. The shretcher sheets are white.

Shretcher sheet ratchet to cleat



Upgraded main halyard lock




Upgraded spin halyard lock

Upgraded rudder up and down. One of the best upgrades.





Center board up and down.




Looking through the hatch where we store all the sails, the sheets, boom and tiler extentions.












The shretcher attaches to the D shackle just forward of the bow. The tack line of the spinnaker goes to the end of the pole.




Mainsheet



Running rigging

Sails




The clutch is used for the spinnaker tack. The sided clutch is used for the continuous jib furler line and the shretcher continuous line




Jib cover. If you leave your jib up, this zips around and is hoisted by the spinnaker halyard to keep it out of the sun.

Blocks used for the spinnaker and shretcher with spectra stroups to go around the support beams

The center board aft filer piece is pushed up and down with this aluminum rod and is secured in place by velcro.

Multi 23 for Sale!!!

This Multi 23 hull #21 was bought in March 2009 and was used about 4 times. We have invested about $40,000 in upgrades to the boat.

The boat comes with a trailer, a brand new Honda 2 Horse outboard and sails.
The full set of North 3DL Sails include the main, jib, scretecher and spinnaker.

Also includes:
-All running gear
-Tramps
-Centerboard
-Rudder
-Carbon rudder housing
-Twin carbon hiking sticks
-Aluminum rotating rig with boom
-Harken 8:1 mainsheet
-Self-tacking jib track and cars (Harken)
-Pullies and sheets
-PBO standing rigging
-Main and jib high-tech halyard

March 2009 eNewsletter

Racing News

Get ready racing fans! The Etchells Midwinters is fast approaching! The three day event will begin on Friday, March 27th and ends on Sunday, March 29th. This is one of the biggest racing events for Etchells in San Diego. If you haven't already done so, click here to sign up.

The race brings some of the top Etchells fleet together. You can expect sailors from Seattle and San Francisco as well as some East coast sailors, who will be chartering some boats for the race.

This event provides a great mixture of some of the most experienced sailors at one regatta. Kasey will be sailing this year with Michael Ewens on haul 291. For more information about the race or to view the current registered sailors for the race, click here.


Cruising News

Glorietta Bay is the perfect weekend get-away. When the weather improves, be sure to take your boat down and anchor. It is one of the most scenic parks on San Diego's Coronado island. The park offers playgrounds, picnic tables and beautiful green lawns perfect for the whole family. Glorietta Bay Park also offers a ramp just off the park where jet skis and sailboats can be launched.

Glorietta Bay provides a wide range of leisure activites that include a golf course, ice cream parlor and The Lamps Theater. It's the perfect getaway to relax and enjoy your boat for the weekend.


Customer Job of the Month!

We are proud to announce Michael Ewens as our customer of the month. Michael recently purchased an older Etchells haul #291. He purchased the boat from a seller in Seattle who started to recondition the mast but lost interest. Michael expressed a desire to bring the boat up-to-speed, so we worked with him to make sure his boat was safe to sail.

Michael's Etchells was in relatively good condition but the boat needed to be repainted, all new rigging, and all new running rigging hardware needed to be installed.

Before the boat was painted, we cut and drilled all the necessary holes for mounting the hardware. Miguel Hernandez then painted the top sides and the haul. We decided to go with an appoxy primary for the haul and an LD non-skid for the deck.

The boat did not have any floor boards or a center console, so we glassed in a center console and mounted the floor boards. At that time, we decided to run all the necessary line purchases underneath the floor and throughout the boat.

Michael Ewens has been a great customer. We were extremely excited about this project because it allowed us to start from scratch and make all the fine tune adjustments needed to improve the condition of his boat. We recently finished this project and we are excited that he will soon be racing with this boat in his first real regatta, The Etchells Midwinters. Enjoy your time on the water, Michael, and thank you for your business!

December 2008 eNewsletter

Racing News

Get ready racing fans! Ten hot new M23 Trimarans have arrived in California and several more are expected to arrive later this month.
KC Performance Rigging will be the Southern California dealer to distribute, commission, and customize them.

These Trimarans are lightweight high-performance speed machines designed for day-sailing and one-design racing. The buoyancy of the outhauls make it safe and fun for the whole family. Click here to learn more about the M23 Trimaran.

We are excited and cannot wait for these new Trimarans to arrive! Click here to preorder today.


Customer Job of the Month!

We are proud to announce David MacVean as our customer of the month. David is a member of SDYC and owns a Beneteau 47.3. He expressed a desire to sail to Hawaii, so we worked with him to make sure his boat was safe to sail.

We started with a standard rig inspection which included lubricating the turnbuckles and the spreader tips as well as cleaning the swage fittings. We also added spreader boots to prevent damage to the main, jib and spinnaker.

Some of the other alterations we made on David's boat in preparation for his sail include:
-Replaced traveler line, upgraded strap eyes and blocks.
-Replaced chafe lines on lazy jacks.
-Installed spare spinnaker halyard and added extra halyard clutches in the cock pit.
-Added block to mast head.
-Upgraded mast step and turning blocks with customed stainless steel mast step block bracket designed and fabricated by KC Performance Rigging.
-Stainless steel extension on the bow to extend out the spinnaker foreguy.

David MacVean has been a great customer and we are excited that he will soon be sailing to Hawaii. Enjoy your time on the water, David, and thank you for your business!



Cruising News

Often, during the winter months, boats are stored for longer periods of time. In order to ensure your boat stays in its best condition, here are a few tips (these tips actually apply to any time your boat goes unused, not just during the winter):
Keep your boat covered! Covers are an initial expense, but worth the investment in the long run because they protect your boat from the elements. A good choice if you are in the market for a cover is the boom tent, which covers the back half of the boat. The nice thing about the boom tent is that you can spend time on the boat without having to remove it.

-Store your running rigging! I recommend skying halyards, removing or storing jib sheets and putting halyard tails in bags.
-Remove and store the jib.
-Store all loose deck hardware.
-Run the engine every 6-8 weeks.
-Use a dehumidifier in the cabin to eliminate odors, dampness and mildew.
-Lastly, dont forget about the bottom of the boat! I highly recommend finding a diver you trust to keep the bottom clean and zincs replaced when needed.

KC Performance Rigging's boat management service is available for an affordable monthly fee. We handle all of this maintenance, and more, if you don't have the time to take care of it on your own. Click here for a quote for monthly boat management or, if you prefer, for any one (or more than one) of the maintenance tips we mentioned in the list above.

November 2008 eNewsletter

Racing News

Mark your calenders! The Hot Rum Series is just around the corner. Hosted by San Diego Yacht Club, the races are: November 9, November 23 and December 7. You won't want to miss it! This is one of my favorite regattas of the year. The race begins toward the end of Shelter Island on the bay side of the Police docks. You sail out of the bay, down to a marker near The Hotel Del Coronado, and then head back to the starting point.

The Hot Rum Regatta appeals to both the avid racer and those just starting out. It is low-key and tons of fun! If you are a first-time racer, this is your chance to get out there!

If you haven't already done so, click here to sign up.


Cruising News

October is the end of hurricane season.

The Baja Hahaers left on October 27th since November is the beginning of the prime cruising season in Mexico. If you have the time off and an urge to sail in warm weather, the Sea of Cortez is an excellent choice. It is the perfect place to enjoy great sailing as well as a good way to practice your offshore sailing skills. One of the first cities to stop at while in the Sea of Cortez is La Paz. The ice cream shop on the boardwalk is worth the trip! Click here for a excellent guide on weather and traveling through Baja. Here is another website that talks more about cruising in the Sea of Cortez.


Customer Job of the Month!

We are proud to announce Ken Watson as our customer of the month. Ken recently purchased Medusa, a 1995 Santa Cruz 52'. Before purchasing his yacht, the boat was hardly used and was not well-maintained. Ken expressed a desire to use his boat for cruising, so we worked with him to bring it up-to-speed.

The first step to getting Ken's boat up-to-speed was meeting with his sail maker and agreeing on a plan of action. We chose to upgrade the Harken track because the original cars were undersized and we were sure it would not handle cruising or offshore racing.

Ken's jib furling system never worked correctly and bound up beneath the deck drum. It would bind when furling. To prevent this from happening again, we modified the Harken drum. Additional miscellaneous upgrades were made to Ken's boat that include: adjusting the lazy jacks, adding safety straps and replacing a filter, bleeding the hydraulic system and installing insulation on his backstay so that he could have a single-side-band radio.

Ken's trust in our expertise allowed us to utilize our knowledge and outfit his yacht to its optimal condition. Ken is leaving soon to cruise in Mexico, confident that his boat will take him the distance! Enjoy your time on the water, Ken, and thank you for your business!

Check out the new M23!!

Have you seen the new M23?

It's the latest lightweight Trimaran made in China. These M23's are high-performance speed machines designed for day-sailing and one-design racing. The buoyancy of the outhulls make it safe and fun for the whole family. KC Performance Rigging is now distributing, commissioning and customizing them in San Diego. Click here to learn more about the M23 Trimaran.

We are excited to be the Southern California dealer for the M23. Be sure to click here to preorder yours today!

First blog-Welcome!

Hello! KC Performance Rigging is excited to lauch it's first blog. We plan to keep you updated on all rigging news, tips, racing and cruising news and much more. More to come soon!