Demasted

[Slipin Away]

We lost the mast on a recent trip from the Rio Dulce to Roatan. Winds were moderate 12-17 kts. and seas around 2-3 feet. Wind right on the nose, as always, so we were motoring with all the sails furled. The boat took a couple of hard drops, but nothing like we have experienced before. Around 2 am I heard a loud band and down came the entire rig. None of the stays were broken and were holding the mast along side of the boat along with the rolled up jib. Fortunately, we have a hard bimini top which prevented the boom from crashing down on me. Secured the rig as best in the dark and decided to go back 100 miles downwind to Rio Dulce knowing I could get assistance. Crossing the bar at high tide and up river made it to calm water. Having no anchor we tied up to a local dock.

The reason for relating all this is to explain what caused the failure. Our boat is a Hunter 45cc and I am sure many other boats have a similar anchor/forestay/jib furling system. On the bow of the boat is a metal plate that is mounted vertically to the hull with bolts. This plate is welded to the anchor roller system with only one butt weld. This is where the failure occurred "on the weld" see pictures. Once the weld failed (due to corrosion) the force pulled the anchor plate off the deck and down came the mast. We were also troubled to find out the anchor plate was mounted directly to the 3/8 inch fiberglass deck with only small flat washers

and no backing plate. A more substantial base might have saved the rig from falling down. If nothing else check to see how your bow roller system is secured and provide a backing plated for the bolts

I would advise all owners who have similar bow set ups to inspect this very crucial weld for corrosion

 

[Ralph Johnstone]

Thanks so much for more sleepless nights and something else to worry about. I'm so very sorry to hear about your disaster.

I have a 1999 H-310 and am showing staining from crevice corrosion under the same SS piece. I have been thinking for a few years about opening up this area and inspecting for severity of corrosion damage. I will now be re-arranging my "TO DO List."

Does your boat have a B&R rig with the high tension in the forestay ?

Again, my condolences on your demasting and thanks for the heads up ............ way up.

 

[Scott T-Bird]

Never take that stem fitting for granted! The first season we owned our Catalina, I was concerned about the rust staining that I saw under the stem fitting. Reading through the 320 Owners group, I saw an article about replacing the stem fitting. Basically, it described an inherent weakness at a welded joint leading to crevice corrosion. I looked at mine and saw the same welded joint. I also learned that Catalina Direct sold a replacement with a substantially thicker stainless bar and a modified configuration. That was the first winter project I did and I also used the opportunity with the mast down to replace all standing rigging (20 years aged). Sleep soundly, I'm always advocating!

 

[jssailem]

Such a scenario can happen to all boats not just a Hunter or Catalina.

It’s winter many are not sailing. Put inspection of chainplates and all standing rigging on your pre-commissioning todo list before you splash in 2024.

An ounce of prevention it worth a pound of cure. In the case of your mast, maybe much more.

 

[dLj]

I took a course in welding years ago. The first thing the instructor said was that the best weld is the one you don't have to do.

Welds on chain plates are very much a problem. They can be done well, but there is a lot of room for error...

dj

 

[Slipin Away]

Yes it is the B&R rig

 

[David in Sandusky]

Going onto my "to do" list. Zooming on a picture of our bow, it looks like our 1/4 inch stainless steel strip runs continuously around the point of the bow, then the forestay/furler assembly attaches to a hole in the strip. Still worth a careful inspection for cracks, however.

Our traditional rig has two lower stays going forward, which would probably hold the mast up if our forestay failed while motoring. Of course, while we are sailing, the main puts a substantial forward force on the mast with lesser sideways heeling force. Again, I doubt a sudden loss of the forestay would result in a rapid dismasting. Of course, in a complete stay failure anything is possible!