shroud & bent mast update

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John

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Jun 3, 2006
803
Catalina 36mkII Alameda CA
I thought some on this list might be interested in what finally happened with the failure of my rigging that I reported on some time ago. The starboard lower shrouds had pulled through at the top attachment point. There were supposed to be some larger cupulas on them. I could swear they were not on the originals, but those were a somewhat different shape from the new ones. The old ones had more surface bearing. The result was a slight s-bend in the mast. WM's riggers (who had built the new standing rigging) came to try to tune it, but said they couldn't tune it out. I got the chief rigger from Svendsen's to come over. He looked at it (with the insurance company's surveyor present) and said he could get it out but that in any case it wasn't a problem. I made an appointment for Svendsen's to tune the rig. The next day, the yard manager (I think it was) of Svendsen's called me and, in a very abrupt tone of voice told me that they didn't want anything to do with this rig "because of liability issues", he said. My impression was that (1) they were p.o'd becuase I hadn't hired them in the first place; and (2) they have the attitude "we're Svendsen's; we don't have to care." I hired Hansen's rigging to take care of it. The guy from Hansen's came, tried to tune it, but said that he couldn't get the bend out and that it wasn't safe; the mast "is toast" he said.
At this point, the insurance company (Boat US) was still making noises as if they were not going to cover it, so you can imagine I was pretty upset. I got two estimates - one from Hansens and one from KKMI. The latter was a little lower. (Had Svendsen's dealt with me differently, they'd be getting this job.) After getting the estimates, the surveyor sent in his report to Boat US, and when I called them, they said they would cover the loss, whose cost will be something around $13,000-15,000. Although the boat will probably be out of commission for much of July, I am still feeling very relieved.
On a related issue: As I mentioned here before, I got a couple as boat partners. They have been really excellent - appreciative of the boat, considerate, and very understanding of this issue. The only conflict I've had with them was that I tried to give them a partial refund for the time that they couldn't sail (only motor) due to this issue, but they refused to accept it. I mention this in response to those on this forum who were pretty skeptical about getting a boat partner. Most people will try to be fair with you if you try to be fair with them.
 
Jun 13, 2005
559
Irwin Barefoot 37 CC Sloop Port Orchard WA
Glad to hear you had success with the mast and the partners. Partners should expect to take the bitter with the sweet, so I would consider your offer to reimburse them to be beyond the call. But it was nice of you and I'm sure they appreciated it. Hope all your future dealings work out as well.

Good Luck

Joe S
 
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