VOLLENHOVE – Rondal, the global leader in complex rigs, sailing systems and composite components for large sailing and motor yachts showed up at the Monaco Yacht Show with a captive winches system to moor yachts of up to 100m, hands-free.
The company said it had already won an order for the five-winch system for a 100m superyacht being built in the Netherlands: three at the bow – port, center and starboard – and two stern winches, port and starboard.
Rondal has tremendous experience with massive captive winches that haul in sails, anchors, rigs and whatnot. Repurposing them for mooring jobs on large motor yachts is a first for the Dutch company, if not the global industry.
It works like this: a mooring line is tossed onto the shore as it has been for centuries. There it is fastened to a bollard.
A crew member onboard, working with remote control, tightens the line as much as is needed. No cleating required! The hands-free system substantially reduces crew safety risks. On future installations, port and starboard winches at midships will be added for spring lines.
Rondal says the wireless remote-control units enable a single watchkeeper to select and check the tension of each mooring line. Two crew members with a control unit can split the responsibilities.
At Monaco Yacht Show, the company also unveiled a rejigged marketing strategy. The message: “to do what we do now even better in terms of efficiency, value and customer focus,” says Managing Director Harald Lubbinge.
Apart from repurposing captive winches for mooring purposes, the company cited these new initiatives:
- Producing both composite and aluminum rigs. Composite for superyacht newbuilds, aluminum for legacy superyachts, cargo vessels and ‘specials.
- “We will expand our market share of complete sail management systems, and substantially increase focus on motor yachts while continuing to build on our leadership in sailing yachts.
- We will further develop our sales of bespoke components such as superstructures, windbreaks and large rudders.
Rondal is designing and producing many more electrically driven products. “Good practice starts at home, so we are constantly seeking new ways to ensure the eco-friendliness of our facilities, processes and products,” says Lubbinge.
www.rondal.com
