Fogh Marine

Inspecting Your Boat's Rigging, Lines, Halyards and Sheets in Preparation for Sailing Season

Are you getting ready for the boating season? Before you take your boat out on the water, it’s important to inspect your rigging and lines to ensure that it’s stayed sturdy and strong. Exposure to sunlight, repeated friction, and general wear and tear can take a major toll on rigging over time and result in subpar performance. If you’re unsure of the condition of your lines and rigging, you may want to visit this page on rigging guides and manuals for help.

Here’s how to perform an effective examination of your boat’s rigging:

Start with a visual review. In many instances, you can spot the symptoms of an overused line, halyard or sheet are easily taken care of, thorough a look at your entire rigging. Look for strands that have been pulled out or are becoming frayed. Even a minor instance of fraying can be dangerous when a boat is in motion; a loose strand can become snagged and damage your boat and even worse, cause you or your crew to get hurt.

Do a hands-on inspection. Run your hands over all your lines, halyards, sheets and rigging. Does it feel hard and inflexible? Is the surface of the lines coarse and irregular? These are likely signs that your rope is becoming older, stiffer, and weaker. Lines that have been severely reduced in size should be replaced. If your line has a core under its threaded surface, you should replace it if the core has become visible.

Examine everything the line interacts with. Before you complete your inspection, look at the eye splice, masthead, and blocks to ensure that they are not causing unnecessary friction to the ropes. Your lines should have just enough “give” to be able to move freely when necessary.

Serving Toronto customers since 1982, Fogh Marine offers all of the boat and marine supplies you need to have a great time on the water! We also provide in-house rigging, splicing, lifelines, and standing and running rigging. If you are in need of boat supplies for this coming season, visit us in Toronto today or call (647) 800-2173  to learn more about our available products.

Give Your Mom the Gift of Safety This Mother's Day!

The new and exclusive Mustang Hydrostatic Lifejacket is the perfect Mother’s Day present for the water loving mom. Show her you care by giving her the same protection enjoyed by the coast guard and law enforcement agencies! The MD3154 Inflatable PFD with Hydrostatic Inflator Technology and Sailing Harness is Mustang Survival’s top-of-the-line, award-winning, inflatable PFD with an integrated harness that exceeds ORC standards! Nothing but the best for your mom!

As you can see in this video, the Hydrostatic Lifejacket automatically inflates when submerged in just 4 inches of water. This life jacket is not like the traditional lifejacket your mom may be used to, the Hydrostatic Lifejacket is so sleek and light, she’ll forget she has it on! It also comes in a variety of colours! The Mustang Survival Hydrostatic Lifejacket requires no maintenance for five years!   

This Mother’s Day Fogh Marine has the Mustang Hydrostatic PFDs on special! For more information about the Hydrostatic Lifejacket, or to take advantage of our Mother’s Day special give Fogh Marine a call at (647) 800-2173 or visit us online today.

For More Useful Sailboat-Buying Information And Tips, Visit These Great Resources

Nothing beats a summer spent sailing on the wonderful lakes of Ontario. In fact, the right sailboat can enhance the experience of any waterfront vacation. Contact Fogh Marine at (647) 800-2173 for answers to all your marine supply and sailboat questions. Check out these websites for additional information.

• OntarioSailing.ca will help you learn how to sail!
• This excellent article from CottageLife.com makes it a breeze to choose the sailboat of your dreams.
• DiscoverBoating.ca provides an online introduction to sailing with this informative feature.
• Log on to Transport Canada for tips on buying boats of all shapes and sizes.
• Check out Fogh Marine’s 2012 Boat Catalogue. We invite you to come in and talk us about your boat choices.  We are happy to assist you in finding the right boat for your needs.

Highlighting RS Sailing's Exciting Sailboat Offerings

Sailing is one of the biggest benefits of living near the shore. Make sure you find the right water craft to begin your sailing adventures. RS Sailing sailboats offer numerous ways to enjoy the water. Explore these All Purpose and Performance boats to determine which style is best suited for you.

• All Purpose Boats: These durable, maintenance-free crafts are the perfect choice for beginners, families, and school sailing clubs. Boats such as the RS Vision are designed to fit a family yet can still be operated singlehanded. Likewise, features such as no-peel paint and zero moisture absorption make the RS Vision the ideal first boat for anyone. If you’re in the market for a larger-sized craft, check out the RS Venture. This All-Purpose model excels in storage space, crew capacity, and hull stability. In addition, an onboard motor option makes the RS Venture the perfect craft for numerous boating needs.
   
• Performance Dinghies & Skiffs: RS Sailing also has sailboats for those with a need for speed. The RS Vareo is perfect for sailors just getting into the racing scene. The craft’s damage-resistant hull laminate guarantees a long racing life and reliable performance. Those ready for the next level of competitive performance can upgrade to the RS400. This world-famous craft allows a crew to dominate waves with ease. Racers of all skill levels will benefit from the RS400’s stiff and responsive hull.
   
• Performance Keelboats: The RS Elite is an optimal boat for design racing. Signature features of this Phil Morrison masterpiece include a narrow, aerodynamic hull and easy transportation. Visit the RS Sailing website for information about RS Elite class sailing in your area.

RS Sailing is just one of the many high-quality brands you will find at Fogh Marine. We also offer a wide range of marine supplies. View our selection of inventory or call us at (647) 800-2173.

Looking at Hobie Sailboats

Fans of high-speed sailing and relaxing cruises should look at the wide variety of recreational and performance boats that Hobie has to offer. Their lineup of boats is perfect for personal and family use. This video introduces viewers to some of the brand’s most popular crafts.

The Hobie Getaway and Hobie Wave are versatile crafts that support personal use and multiple passengers. Teaching kids or a friend to sail is a breeze with the Hobie Bravo. Boaters in search of a multi-functional personal craft should check out the Hobie Mirage Adventure Island.

Fogh Marine is a reliable Toronto retailer of kayaks, small sailboats, and marine supplies. You can get everything you need to hit the waves from our extensive inventory. Call us today at (647) 800-2173 for directions or craft details.