Zern Rigging

06/15/2026

You've heard it 100 times: "bring a six pack to a marina/ yacht club and ask if you can join. it's the best way to learn from scratch OR hone your decades of experience": Twilight series, Beer can races and regattas, skippers often need help. Often they are eager to share their knowledge.

Every week the Zern Rigging team goes out sailing, together. A Beneteau 41, an historic Gulf Coast day sailor called a Fish Boat and (soon to be) J80 is our fleet.

Go sailing. The space needs you and new blood. Just ask.

06/08/2026

🌊 My First Gulf Hurricane Season: Lessons from the Experts
As some of you know, this is my (Virginia’s) very first hurricane season living on the Gulf Coast.

I attended the Hurricane Preparedness BBQ hosted by Pelican's Perch Marina. (standing room only attendance and Danny's brisket got wiped out!)

Marine industry expert Rick Zern from Zern Rigging, dock masters and several local captains shared decades of hard-earned Gulf Coast experience.

The most important takeaway? Waiting until a warning is issued is already too late. Early action is your only real defense.
Here is the 3-tier strategy Rick broke down during the lunch and learn:

📋 Rick Zern’s 3-Tier Preparedness Strategy
Plan A: Haul Out (The Gold Standard)
Get the boat completely out of the water.
Secure it safely on high, stable land.

Plan B: Marina Security
Keep the boat in the water but secure it tightly in a heavily protected marina.
Utilize a designated, pre-planned hurricane mooring location.

Plan C: Anchor Out (Last Resort Only)
If you cannot haul out or secure a slip, anchor out using a heavy storm setup.
Find a well-sheltered, inland location away from open water.


🎙️ Free Presentation Downloads & Resources

I put together a clean cheat sheet summarizing the main details of the presentation so you can save it to your phone or boat files!

Download the Summary: Hurricane Prep Guide PDF
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ghInMV7kKpRxmbUpSeUemCvkfc8Mcis3/view?usp=sharing
Listen on the Go: Full YouTube Presentation Link
https://youtu.be/abaFzw8I1vo
(Tip: This video format works perfectly as a hands-free podcast for your morning drive time commute)

06/03/2026

05/22/2026

Happy Memorial Day!

05/04/2026

Dwight came to pick up some custom jib sheets for S/V Portia (a Bristol 60) this AM. We caught him snapping our rope trailer and saying "this is paradise!" We agree, Dwight, we agree. Good luck on the Regata al Sol! We'll be tracking the race here:
https://pro.yb.tl/RASOL2026/

jib sheets= 14mm Dyneema core with Dyneema Chafe sleeve

Regata Al Sol

04/27/2026

This was NOT visible to the buyer or surveyor. Peek here at the swage process. Consider a gift certificate for a rigging inspection. You don't need to be a sailboat to need inspecting. We're custom swaging in Pensacola, ya'll. We'll drive from Panama City to New Orleans - for a nominal fee.

This post offers discount. Code in comments.

04/21/2026

We've climbed the masts of 1000s of unique rigs. Hands down it's the Milwaukee Tool Superhawg for the job. In the comments we've left the specs of our climbing system that.just.plain.works.

04/14/2026

Small investment, big feeling. New running rigging for Spring cruising season on a Catalina 36. What are your cruising or racing goals this Spring?
Take advantage of 10% off with this link for gift certificate offer. Good for purchases through May 12 2026
https://zernrigging.com/products/500-gift-certificate-copy

04/03/2026

All our clients have a story. Here is a glimpse…

Captain Christian Myer’s grandfather and great grandfather were wooden boat builders and Gulf Coast commercial fishermen. Christian called Zern Rigging to inspect and update the standing and running rigging on the Biloxi schooner, “Daniel Webster Clemens”.

“Danny” was built at Zirlott shipyard near Bayou La Batre in 1994. It took five years to complete and was modeled after traditional regional-style oyster & fishing boats in the early 20th century. Rick Zern had a hand in its commissioning, consulting with the owner, Bill Campbell of Sailing South in Destin, FL.

Christian sits down with us to talk about the historical sourcing of ship lumber on boats in the Southeast and its modern challenges it presents. They also mull over the possibility of modern rigging upgrades. We captured some video of the crew proudly getting “Danny” ready to head back out. That blue painter’s tape you see here? The crew is meticulously stuffing cotton between the planks and then covering it with a more modern compound than the tar (or pitch) used of years past.

Let us know if you'd like to be notified when full-length video is live on YouTube?

03/21/2026

Come see us at the Wharf Boat Show! We are here till 6:00 tonight!