Brion Toss Yacht Riggers
Fan Mail

Fan Mail

A letter from one of our workshop students:

Christian,

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Thanks to you and especially Brion for the workshop. I learned a lot!!

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I didn't get a chance to fill out our comment sheet - so I will try to here.

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I expected to get out, and did, a better understanding of the rigging on our boat. This was a main thrust (I think) of the workshop. I will look with a better educated eye at rigging from now on.
I got a lot of questions answered - and even a few that I was never even considering!
The workshop was a complete success.


Everything was excellent. Brion's manner in presentation was engaging and his approach to questions and patience with them and the many comments and "helpful" suggestions on topics that we sometimes offered...


What I liked best about the workshop was the rapid fire exchange of information. I like to be challenged when I attend these. The give and take was good. There was not a lot of time wasted on explanations etc. Brion read us very well and kept stuff from becoming too boring...

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I enjoyed the weekend. There is much to do on our boat - and I will be contacting you for help.

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Thanks again to Brion, Sean and you Christian.

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Blair Fraser
White Rock, Canada.


From: Rose Loper
Sent: Friday, January 24, 2014 2:54 AM
To: Brion Toss
Subject: Life Saver

 

Brion,

 

There I was happy as a cat up the mast on Lovely Lady secure in my Rigger’s Harness.  With a big smile on my face having successfully completed my tasks Jani began lowering me to the deck.  Suddenly when I was about 10 feet off the deck and almost horizontal the rope slipped off the winch and I began to descend rapidly.  As if in slow motion I thought to myself “I’m falling, let go of the ascender.”  As I opened my hand I came to a quick and gentle stop about 8 feet off the deck.  The first words out of my mouth were “Thank God Brion sold me this wonderful piece of equipment.”  A few minutes later when our hearts had returned to a normal beat and I was standing on the deck we both breathed a sigh of relief.

 

Please feel free to share this story with any and all you choose.

Rose Loper

"SV Lovely Lady"


September 15, 2013

Dear Brion, Many thanks for your help in keeping our sailing vacation on course this summer. When the cable broke on our centerboard, all it took was one call to you put everything in motion to fix the problem. You arranged the haul out picked up replacement cable from the supplier, and fixed the whole thing. Before we knew it we were underway again and able to resume our sailing vacation. I couldn’t imagine a better customer experience. Thanks again to you and your staff.

Dennis and Margaret Byrne

“Butterfly”


Brion,

Wow

All the new running rigging and fine tuning you and Gordon accomplished on the Lovely Lady really increased our WOW Factor. 

We had big grins as we sailed south with the spinnaker from Pt. Townsend.

 

Rose Loper

SV Lovely Lady


Comments by students of Brion's Workshops:

From Scott Wilson in Three Sheets Northwest 

learning-the-ropes-and-wires-and-rods-and-spars

     

From Alan Hyde: "We thoroughly enjoyed Brion’s well-attended and excellent presentation. All the best technical knowledge on any subject rests on some underpinnings that once understood widen & brighten our future thinking about it. Brion’s a master of his craft because he knows that so well, and communicates it well, too." 


Brion,

Just letting you know the rig you made for me fits perfectly & we're off to Bermuda Wednesday, June 10th  - check out the blog site for updates and photos

through Small Craft Advisor magazine.

Regards,

Dayton

Long Bay Marine/ Boat Building

North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina


Dear Brion,
                We can't tell you how much your book has helped in changing
our every day lives!  It was instrumental in, of all things, the
installation of refrigeration in our galley. How you ask? just look at the
enclosed photo......
               
Your lifelong fans....

                        Patsy Thompson and Tony Latimer


I have known Brion Toss since... No, I have witnessed the nimble fingers and nimble mind of Brion Toss since his macramé "act" at our first Wooden Boat Festival in 1977. In the ensuing years, I have seen his skills expanded exponentially, through the countless demonstrations and workshops he has conducted for us.

Brion Toss is a phenomenon of the modern world. He is a wizard of knots and rigging. It is wonderful to see a master craftsman at work. Seeing one who passes on what he knows with compassion, love, energy, wit and charm is an experience none will ever forget. Teachers like Brion toss are the rare bright gems of our culture.

Dick Wagner
Center for Wooden Boats

Hey Brion!

So, after my mail chasing me around the world, I finally received your new book, which I love! Thank you, thank you!!! I've used it only on one type of splice thus far. I had a bunch of lines to make up with all the same splice, so I did that and then we moved from Vienna to Antwerp, so I've been busy with those details and I haven't been able to check out the other splices yet. I will however... My initial reaction is that it's quite a handy little book. It seems concise and I was pleased that there was once or twice that I found an answer to questions I'd had initially. The emphasis is just a little different from "The Rigger's Apprentice," some of which I like better, some not as much. But once we get settled in and I have some time again, I'm going to go through the entire book, step-by-step and see how it works, and also I want the other riggers to do a splice or two with it, those that don't know how to splice at all, and get their feedback. My best to you and Christian!!

Xina, Rigger

Cirque du Soleil

Brion & Crew,

A quick thank you to you and all your staff especially Sean. I am very pleased with the rigging configuration, service and genuine interest you and your staff provided in the rigging of La Vie. Thanks much.

Dave Kane
S/V La Vie

Just wanted to let you know that the rig tuning that you all did on Coriolis was great. The jib furler rolls like a dream, even in high winds, and we did purchase the ratcheting block, so even the wife can bring it in without trouble. We also cleaned the winches, which the previous owner told us hadn't been done in six years, and now the wife can use the second speed....Boy, what a little housekeeping can do! Thanks a lot, you guys were worth every dollar in saved aching muscles!

Kay and Gary Taylor
S/V Coriolis (Catalina 30)

I just wanted to thank you guys for the great splicing workshop. I came in knowing a little and left knowing a lot more. I really appreciated the extra time you spent in answering my questions. I plan on attending a couple more workshops next year.

Bob Pingel


Dear Sue and Brion,

Many thanks for your kindness, I have got the splicing wands just yesterday. I hope to make people interested ...by using those gear. I would like to keep myself abreast, can you please include my name in your mailing list? 

Kind Regards,

Alfredo Mosso

Ferro, Italy


Brion, I've now probably done over fifty eye-splices on 1/2" arborist line...I'm the most popular guy here in Phoenix, AZ. All my friends want "eyes" in their lines now...it has also become somewhat profitable. It is fun to splice and to know how to do something few people know or want to learn. Yes, I learned from the video. Thanks again!

Rudy Perez

I just want to say "Thank You" for writing such enjoyable books on knots. I have two and enjoy mastering a new knot from the pages as I laugh at the puns. My shoes now stay tied.

Pete Desmonie

"The Point Hudson Phid"

I just wouldn't use any different phid if something happens to mine! I'd buy another! (regarding Brion's Point Hudson Phid)

Jim Miller


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