marine & maritime rigging
BUILT FOR CONTROLLED RIGGING IN MARINE ENVIRONMENTS
PORTABLE POWER. PRECISION CONTROL. BUILT TO ADAPT.
From tall ships to working vessels, rigging on the water demands control, reliability, and adaptability. The Hold Fast Rigging Systems bring a new level of efficiency to marine applications—combining lifting and lowering into one compact, portable device.
A MODERN SOLUTION FOR TRADITIONAL RIGGING
Marine crews have relied on block and tackle systems, capstans, and fixed windlasses for generations. While effective, these systems can be labor-intensive, limited in control, and difficult to reposition.
The Hold Fast changes that.
With a dual-function winch and bollard system, crews can:
- Lift and lower with precision
- Control loads smoothly under tension
- Transition seamlessly between raising and lowering
- Operate with fewer crew members
All in one lightweight, portable setup.
PROVEN IN THE FIELD: TALL SHIP APPLICATIONS
During restoration work on the historic
Mayflower II
The system was used as a portable windlass winch to assist in erecting standing rigging, including the topmast.
Instead of relying solely on traditional fixed systems, crews were able to:
- Lift the top mast with controlled mechanical advantage
- Pause and hold load securely at any point
- Lower with precision when adjustments were needed
This level of control is critical when working with large wooden spars, where small adjustments make a big difference.
DESIGNED FOR MARINE ENVIRONMENTS
Marine rigging often requires constant adjustment under load. The Hold Fast allows crews to tension, hold, and lower without changing devices or resetting the system.
PORTABLE AND FAST TO DEPLOY
- No permanent mounting required
- Easily anchored to strong points on deck or dock
- Ideal for temporary rigging setups or restoration work
COMPACT, HIGH-PERFORMANCE DESIGN
- Lightweight compared to traditional marine rigging equipment
- Built for real-world environments
- Simple enough for crews to learn quickly
MARINE APPLICATIONS
The Hold Fast Rigging System is well-suited for:
- Tall ship restoration and rigging
- Stepping and unstepping masts
- Topmast and spar lifting
- Dockside lifting operations
- Sailboat and working vessel rigging adjustments
- Temporary or supplemental winching systems
Recommended System
rigger for hire
Not sure which Hold Fast is right for your maritime rigging project? The Hold Fast team travels to assist rigging crews in their up/down rigs. Contact us to schedule a working demo or to contract our rigging services.
Contact us
resources and training
Looking for set up guidance, best practices, and field tips? Visit the Hold Fast Learning Center.
