Armare Composite Rigging & Torsional Stays
Advanced Rigging Solutions for Offshore Cruising, Performance Sailing and Bluewater Adventure
Technical Marine Supplies is proud to be the exclusive UK technical distributor for Armare Ropes and Cables, bringing world-leading composite rigging technology to yacht owners, designers, riggers and boatbuilders across the UK.
THE FUTURE OF STANDING RIGGING
For decades, yacht owners have progressed from stainless steel wire to rod rigging in pursuit of greater reliability and reduced fatigue risk.
Today, composite rigging represents the next evolution.
Using advanced fibres including PBO (Zylon®), Dyneema® and Kevlar®, Armare develops standing rigging solutions that combine exceptional stiffness with dramatic weight savings and improved offshore performance.
TORSIONAL STAYS – THE STANDARD FOR MODERN YACHTS OVER 45 FEET
For yachts over 45 feet LOA fitted with Code Zeros, staysails, top-down furlers and furling systems, an engineered torsional stay should be considered a standard specification rather than an upgrade.
Benefits include:
- Exceptional torsional rigidity
- Rapid and reliable furling
- Reduced elongation under load
- Lower weight aloft
- Reduced wear on furling systems
PBO RIGGING – THE SMART CHOICE FOR ARC, WORLD ARC AND ROUND-THE-WORLD SAILING
For sailors preparing for the ARC, World ARC, Oyster World Rally or extended bluewater cruising, rigging reliability is paramount. Armare PBO rigging combines exceptional stiffness and dramatic weight savings with a defined 15-year service life and structured maintenance programme, delivering a rigging solution engineered specifically for serious offshore sailing.
Why Offshore Sailors Choose PBO
- No metal fatigue failure mechanism
- Up to 80% weight reduction compared with rod rigging
- Reduced pitching and rolling
- Improved comfort offshore
- Exceptional stiffness and sail shape control
- Smaller cable diameters and reduced windage
- Proven offshore performance
SMART RIGGING WITH NFC TECHNOLOGY
Armare's NFC technology places a digital identification tag inside the terminal of the composite cable.
Using a smartphone, owners, captains and riggers can instantly access:
- Cable identification
- Technical specifications
- Manufacturing data
- Product traceability
- Service information
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Why should I choose PBO rigging over rod rigging?
PBO rigging delivers exceptional stiffness with significantly lower weight than rod rigging, reducing pitching, improving sail control and increasing comfort offshore. It also eliminates metal fatigue as a failure mechanism.
How long does PBO rigging last?
Armare PBO rigging is designed for a 15-year service life, making it highly attractive for offshore cruising, performance cruising and world-girdling yachts. Unlike traditional metallic rigging, the lifespan is based on a structured maintenance programme and scheduled inspections.
Does PBO rigging require maintenance?
Yes. Like all standing rigging systems, PBO rigging should be inspected and maintained throughout its service life. The advantage of composite rigging is that maintenance follows a planned schedule, helping ensure the rigging achieves its full design service life.
Is PBO rigging safer than rod rigging for offshore sailing?
Both systems can be safely engineered for offshore use, but PBO offers no metal fatigue mechanism, significant weight savings aloft, reduced pitching and dynamic loading, and a predictable 15-year service life with scheduled maintenance.
Can PBO rigging be fitted to an existing yacht?
Yes. Many owners choose to upgrade from wire or rod rigging during a refit.
What size yacht benefits most from PBO rigging?
The largest gains are typically realised on yachts above 45 feet where weight aloft has a significant impact on performance, motion comfort and rig loading.
What is an engineered torsional stay?
An engineered torsional stay is a specialist composite cable designed to transfer rotational force efficiently from a furling drum to the head of the sail, and is manufactured specially to your vessels needs.
Does my yacht need a torsional stay?
If your yacht is over 45 feet LOA and uses a Code Zero, staysail furler, top-down furling headsail or offshore reaching sail, a torsional stay should be considered an essential component.
How do I get a quote?
Contact TMS with your yacht make and model, LOA, current rigging specification and sailing program, along with the details of the rigger who will be commissioning the installation.