The history of rigging for traditional boats and tall ships in the UK spans centuries, evolving alongside maritime technology, trade, and exploration. Rigging refers to the system of ropes, cables, and chains that form elements used to support masts and control sails, a crucial aspect of sailing.
Early Development
During the Anglo-Saxon and Viking eras (circa 9th–11th centuries), UK seafarers used simple square-rigged sails. Ships like the longship relied heavily on oars, with rigging limited to basic halyards and braces for raising and adjusting a single sail. This simplicity reflected the coastal and riverine nature of early maritime activities.
The Mediaeval Period
By the 12th and 13th centuries, the introduction of larger vessels such as cogs saw the evolution of more complex rigging systems. These ships featured a single square sail but required advanced rigging to manage larger masts, spars and heavier sails. Ropes made from hemp became standard, and innovations like the use of blocks and tackles improved mechanical advantage.
The Age of Sail (16th–19th Centuries)
The Age of Sail marked the pinnacle of traditional rigging. Tall ships like galleons, brigs, and frigates used intricate rigging to support multiple masts and a combination of square and fore-and-aft sails. Key developments during this period included:
Standing Rigging: Made of tarred hemp, standing rigging was used to secure masts and spars. Elements like shrouds, stays, and ratlines provided stability and climbing access.
Running Rigging: Comprised of lines used to adjust sails, running rigging included halyards, sheets, and braces. Pulley systems allowed sailors to manipulate heavy sails with precision.
Specialised Tools: Rigging tools, including fid (for splicing) and marlinspike (for ropework), became standard.
The 19th Century
During the 19th century, British rigging reached its height with clipper ships, renowned for their speed and agility. By the late 1800s, many tall ships were being replaced by ironclads and steamships and, whilst these retained masts and rigging for some time, their use eventually declined.
Preservation and Legacy
Today, traditional rigging remains alive in the UK through historical preservation efforts, sail training vessels as well as privately owned traditional working craft and classic yachts. Restored tall ships, such as the Cutty Sark in Greenwich, the Glenlee in Scotland as well as Naval ships in museums which all showcase the artistry of traditional riggers.
Rigging has developed in tandem with ships and boats up until the modern day, first by differing sailing methods, then the adoption of wire rope, steel bottle screws, synthetic braided ropes, plastic materials and modern preservation methods. The knowledge required to correctly rig traditional, heritage and historic vessels is a different discipline to modern rigging, requiring knowledge of various historic periods in the evolution, and what is appropriate for the vessel’s time period. Furthermore, consideration must be given to use of modern materials and safety requirements whilst still maintaining the form and function.
The majority of the craft is done by hand, including splicing ropes and wires in various different methods, setting up and supporting masts and spars correctly, rigging and de-rigging ships and boats, making wooden elements such as pulley blocks, mast hoops, bulls eyes, dead eyes etc. also the knowledge and ability of the correct knotting, lashing and seizing for individual jobs. Working closely with sailmakers, ship wrights and rope-makers to provide a full service.
Techniques include:
The differences in rigging tend to be historical rather than regional. However, there can also be a need for familiarity with different types of traditional boat rig and their components e.g. lug, gaff, sprit, square, bermudan etc. These different boat types can be associated with a specific geographic area e.g. spritsail barges and the East Coast.
Allied trades
Training and recruitment issues: This is a huge problem for the craft, there are no qualifications and very few young people entering the trade.
Lack of awareness: Very few people are aware of rigging as a career pathway.
Market issues: There is potentially enough work to go around, although most companies offering rigging will offer a wide range of services including contemporary rigging work, rope work for other applications and film and TV work.
Supply of raw materials, allied materials and tools: This is an increasingly pressing issue for rigging. Materials such as galvanised wire, Stockholm tar and hemp cordage are all becoming more difficult to source.
The craft also relies on specialist equipment that is no longer made. Crafts people are relying on antique tools, repurposing modern tools or importing costly tools from the US.
Small business issues: One of the main issues is the high cost of insurance due to high risk activities including climbing, working at height, working at sea etc.
Ageing workforce: Most professional riggers are over the age of 50.
Legislative issues: Health & Safety is a very important issue for riggers and does carry necessary costs and regulation around the use of harnesses, rope access equipment, buoyancy aids as well as the high costs involved with the preparation of Risk Assessments and Method Statements (RAMS).
Global and geopolitical issues: The import of materials and components has become much more difficult following Brexit. Visa for working in Europe and further afield can also be a problem when working on projects overseas.
Heritage Marine Foundation – The Heritage Marine Foundation is not currently training but is in the process of becoming a training provider in traditional boat building skills, including rigging.
Boat Building Academy – The BBA offers training courses in traditional boat building. They are not currently offering specific skills in rigging but there will be elements of this included in their courses.
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