Demasted

[Chuck]

I have a 23' O'day on Clear Lske on a lift. Last Thrusday we went over to go sailing and the mast was in the water. The outside stay haad been removed but all other stays were in place. There were no strong winds between then and the last time we were sailing, about a week prior to thruseday. Even with one stayi remored I would not think that the mast would have blown over. Sooo I am curiious as to what others may think or comment.Thanks Chuck

 

[Herb Parsons]

The Other Shroud?

What about the other shroud on that same side? If the mast was in the water, was the shroud broken? Was the chainplate pulled up? I don't understand how the mast could have been in the water if the shroud was stll connected at both ends.

 

[Chuck]

Shroud broken

Herb,I reading over original post I see I did not explain the sitution very well. Yes the inside stayi was broken at a bolt at the turnbuckle. I had the halyard fastened to the lifeline on that side and the stanchions were also bent when the mast went over. Still hard to understand as there was not a strong wind at any time during that period. Thanks for your reponceChcuk

 

[Keith]

If the 2nd Shroud appeared Removed...

If I understand you, the lower (inner) shroud had broken, and the upper (outer) was "removed" when you found the mast had gone over? With both shrouds on one side gone, you will lose your mast. I keep my 23 on a mooring. I found early in my ownership of the boat that the shroud turnbuckles will backoff and part due to wind/wave movement if not locked. My older 23 has 3 shrouds per side, and I found a couple of them apart after only one week bobbing on the water. At first I thought someone was tampering with the boat, but that was not the case. The turnbuckles need to be locked by either locknuts on each end of the turnbuckle, or by lock rings through the threaded pin and capturing the turnbuckle body. Both are readily available at any marine store.If you have a shroud whose threaded end snapped from age (not from a damage incident), you should carefully inspect your other shrouds for cracks or signs of failure. Some recommend that if one goes, it's time to replace the full set. Hope you had no mast damage and can just re-rig; good luck.

 

[Herb Parsons]

Couple of Possibilities

First, I'm going to restate things the way I think you're saying they happened. You removed one of the upper shrouds (the "outer" is actually an upper), and tied a halyard in its place. No wind during the interval, but when you came back, the lower shroud was broken at the turnbuckle. I'm going to assume the halyard was tied loosely. If so, that's a mistake. It should be tied as firm as possible, to emulate the shroud.You didn't mention whether or not the main was still on the boom, but if so, that alone could have been the culprit. When you pull one of the shrouds, you want all the wind catching devices off the mast.Just guessing here, but here goes:Either (or a combination of both) an unexpected wind or a heavy enough wake to rock the boat. Moving sideways increases the "weight" of the mast on that side of the boat. Might have been enough to pull it on over. Another possibility, though we wouldn't like to think this could happen - Someone boarded your boat, grabbing the shroud on the side that had both. That pulled the mast over enough to get the weight going against the halyard, and pulled it over. Guy (or gal) panicked when they saw the splash, and went on their way.Again, can only guess.