Mast Failure

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Selden Campen

My 26x was launched about mid-May. It has been used frequently, but not in adverse conditions. The mast was installed by the dealer, including stays and shrouds. It was raised only twice. The boat was kept at a bouy all summer in this inland lake. Recently, mid-August, with the main up and while the genoa jib was being unfurled, the main came crashing down. It ripped appart at the middle where the lower shroud tang bolt goes through the mast. The mast bent / folded at this middle point so that the middle went off to starboard, while the bottom was fixed to the cabin and the top came straight down. All six stays and shrouds remained attached. The winds during this event were calm, 5 to 6 knots. Has anyone else experienced a mast which split in similar circumstances or would otherwise like to comment. Please reply here but also copy me at swcampen@msn.com. I'm concerned that the cause may have been metal fatique and do not know how to eliminate the occurance from happening again on the replacement mast. I noticed that the upper shrouds were firmly attached to the spreaders, rather than passing through an end fitting but allowing movement through the spreader end. Is this normal or improper? What else may have caused the failure? I'm interested in all theories. The dealer response has been great. They had several masts in stock and are in process of attaching the hardware from the old mast to the new one. They then intend to erect the new mast and observe for causes of the failure, if any are observable. In any case, I pick up a boat ready to sail again next week.
 
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Bob Knott

Glad you are ok!

Wow what a story, and in such calm conditions! Thank God it wasn't blowing 22 knots that day. Though none of my Hunter's have been dismasted I've found over the years that the factory customer service team especially Eddie Breedan (the boss ) and Greg Emerson are genuinely concerned about their product and not only will they assist the dealer if need be, but they want to know what happened as well. Selden too is a first rate mast maker, and they too will I'm sure be visiting you at some point. Through tragic happenings such as yours come the next generations of better masts of which we'll all benefit. Hope everything turns out well, and the next mast gives you years of faithful service! Let us know how you make out! Bob Knott H380
 
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barrett

Seldon, my upper shrouds are firmly attached

Do not know if that is right, but mine have been that way for 3 seasons...I wish I could give you an idea...I'll just keep watching here for thoughts, but this is the first case of a demasting I've heard of on a Mac 26x tho there maybe others. I would surmise it must be a metal fatigue problem, or a bad piece as it came from the factory? I mean there wasn't enough wind to blow a candle out! Take Care!
 
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Bill Cole

Shroud/forestay tension

Concerning your mast failure, you never mentioned the tension in the shrouds (both upper and lower) or the forestay. If the shrouds were loose (allowing too much play in the mast) then the mast would constantly bend back and forth and eventually fail. The shrouds should be tight to prevent this. If you pull on the shouds or forestay with about 20 pounds horizontally at shoulder level, they should only be deflect an inch or so.
 
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Joe Brigandi

when trailering

When trailering the mast will bounce violently.You need to prop the mast in the center.I use throw cushions and bunge cords.Holes in the mast are the weakest points where metal fatigue can happen.I don't know how far your boat was transported,but constant bounceing will cause what happened to you. I have a MAC 25
 
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