You're enjoying a pleasant sail in 8-10 knots of breeze, beating to windward on a starboard tack. Suddenly you hear a loud SNAP! and notice the windward (starboard) shroud has broken. What would you do? (Discussion topic by Trevor MacLachlan)
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Easy answer ...
Tack to Port, rig a spare halyard as a temporary shroud, and then drop sails and motor home. Once you tack to port, you've bought some time to assess your condition. With a broken shroud, I would drop the sails rather than rely on a makeshift solution with sails up. If you are miles off shore, then there is probably a different answer about how to proceed. I'm not in that situation (yet).
Tack to Port, rig a spare halyard as a temporary shroud, and then drop sails and motor home. Once you tack to port, you've bought some time to assess your condition. With a broken shroud, I would drop the sails rather than rely on a makeshift solution with sails up. If you are miles off shore, then there is probably a different answer about how to proceed. I'm not in that situation (yet).
Been there
This happened to me last fall. Just replace 8-10 with 15-20 and shroud with upper. I immediately came up head to wind and started the motor while the crew dropped sail. We lashed the flailing stay and motored the rest of the way. It sure is disconcerting to see the upper part of the mast flexing like a wet noodle. I think it was Scott that gave me the same advice then. In retrospect, it's a pretty good idea. In my case, the stay hadn't actually broken. A pin had snagged on a sheet and come loose. It could easily have been temporarily rigged up to continue sailing. It also reminded me to be vigilant regarding inspecting the rigging.
This happened to me last fall. Just replace 8-10 with 15-20 and shroud with upper. I immediately came up head to wind and started the motor while the crew dropped sail. We lashed the flailing stay and motored the rest of the way. It sure is disconcerting to see the upper part of the mast flexing like a wet noodle. I think it was Scott that gave me the same advice then. In retrospect, it's a pretty good idea. In my case, the stay hadn't actually broken. A pin had snagged on a sheet and come loose. It could easily have been temporarily rigged up to continue sailing. It also reminded me to be vigilant regarding inspecting the rigging.
that's right
tack, drop, assess. depending though on where you are, where you're going, what the conditions are like the next choice is to attempt a repair, rig a spare halyard as a replacement shroud and continue sailing albeit under shortened sail, crank up the iron genny and go home (with the temporary halyard/shroud in place).
tack, drop, assess. depending though on where you are, where you're going, what the conditions are like the next choice is to attempt a repair, rig a spare halyard as a replacement shroud and continue sailing albeit under shortened sail, crank up the iron genny and go home (with the temporary halyard/shroud in place).
That happened to me, sorta, on a friends boat
That was was 33 years ago. We're racing his boat. For the first time we're in the lead. Oh boy! We're getting good! Then we heard it. Tinkle-tinkle. We saw a clevis pin bouncing to the toe-rail. We looked around for a competitor that must have tossed it over to our boat to distract us from the race. Nobody. We were way ahead of the fleet. We both looked up. The leeward spreader was dangling disconnected from the mast. That's where the clevis pin belonged. What to do? We had one more tack to make for the finish line and victory. We were headed right for shore but had about a minute until grounding. I grabbed the pin, put it in my mouth as I recall, and shinnied up the lower shrouds. I went hand over hand and steadied myself with my inner thighs on the wires. I wore only cut-offs. The bruises didn't heal for a month but I grabbed that spreader, positioned it and pushed the pin where it belonged. Dropping to the deck and tacking was the easy part. We won the race.
That was was 33 years ago. We're racing his boat. For the first time we're in the lead. Oh boy! We're getting good! Then we heard it. Tinkle-tinkle. We saw a clevis pin bouncing to the toe-rail. We looked around for a competitor that must have tossed it over to our boat to distract us from the race. Nobody. We were way ahead of the fleet. We both looked up. The leeward spreader was dangling disconnected from the mast. That's where the clevis pin belonged. What to do? We had one more tack to make for the finish line and victory. We were headed right for shore but had about a minute until grounding. I grabbed the pin, put it in my mouth as I recall, and shinnied up the lower shrouds. I went hand over hand and steadied myself with my inner thighs on the wires. I wore only cut-offs. The bruises didn't heal for a month but I grabbed that spreader, positioned it and pushed the pin where it belonged. Dropping to the deck and tacking was the easy part. We won the race.
If the mast was still standing I would tack
and set up a spare halyard with the halyard winch and continue on a port tack while I decided what to do next. I carry spare saddle clamps and a length of galvanized wire rope so I might make repairs and continue.
and set up a spare halyard with the halyard winch and continue on a port tack while I decided what to do next. I carry spare saddle clamps and a length of galvanized wire rope so I might make repairs and continue.
Heave to into the wind
Heave to into the wind immediately and utilize one or more of my three spare mast head halyards to secure the mast to the starboard side toe rail. Secure broken stay and then continue sailing at a leasurely pace to nearest repair facility. Have already experienced similar problem when taking delivery of my C-38 from the previous owner......his boatyard had not locked the turnbuckles when re-rigging the mast after inside storage, but had hidden the problem by taping over the turnbuckles.....hence they slowly loosened up under sail and became very apparent during the second day. New owners beware!
Heave to into the wind immediately and utilize one or more of my three spare mast head halyards to secure the mast to the starboard side toe rail. Secure broken stay and then continue sailing at a leasurely pace to nearest repair facility. Have already experienced similar problem when taking delivery of my C-38 from the previous owner......his boatyard had not locked the turnbuckles when re-rigging the mast after inside storage, but had hidden the problem by taping over the turnbuckles.....hence they slowly loosened up under sail and became very apparent during the second day. New owners beware!
Just dismasting??? No sweat! 
One big reason why we no longer own a very nice West Wight Potter 19 is the tale that follows: On the way back up the Indian River, after a leisurely southern leg, the breeze freshened to the point where I was having some fun. Short-lived fun, that is! While beating back to windward, sitting on the rail, with Carol down below, I first felt, then heard an ominous "pop". Looking up at the rig, I saw the mast weaving about, and the tack of the jib, furler drum and all waving in the breeze. I shouted to Carol to come take the helm, and leaped on the foredeck, securing the furler drum to the bow pulpit with an extra line. That crisis past, we continued on towards port. ACT TWO: The next thing to occur was the tiller splitting, breaking free from the rudder! OK...things are getting TOO interesting now! So, the mighty 4hp "iron gennie" was put into service to get us home. Or so we thought! About 200 yards short of the boat ramp, the engine quit and would NOT restart! At this point, I wasn't even allowing myself to THINK "What else could happen?" I got on the hand held VHF and called for assistance. Of course, the only party responding was that loving, compassionate, for-profit towing company (no names mentioned) who offered to come the 1/2 mile or so and tow me in. For "only" $250! I declined the offer, and put out a "good Samaritan" call. No radio response, but in about 15 minutes a local "fishing boat" (Read: 20-something foot glass slipper with enough outboard HP to move an aircraft carrier!) came by and tossed me a line. After replacing the bent mast hinge, getting a new tiller, and finding that the previous owner had incorrectly assembled the jib furler, and fixing that, we sold the boat. And you wonder why my wife was not enthused when I talked about getting another sailboat? Bob
One big reason why we no longer own a very nice West Wight Potter 19 is the tale that follows: On the way back up the Indian River, after a leisurely southern leg, the breeze freshened to the point where I was having some fun. Short-lived fun, that is! While beating back to windward, sitting on the rail, with Carol down below, I first felt, then heard an ominous "pop". Looking up at the rig, I saw the mast weaving about, and the tack of the jib, furler drum and all waving in the breeze. I shouted to Carol to come take the helm, and leaped on the foredeck, securing the furler drum to the bow pulpit with an extra line. That crisis past, we continued on towards port. ACT TWO: The next thing to occur was the tiller splitting, breaking free from the rudder! OK...things are getting TOO interesting now! So, the mighty 4hp "iron gennie" was put into service to get us home. Or so we thought! About 200 yards short of the boat ramp, the engine quit and would NOT restart! At this point, I wasn't even allowing myself to THINK "What else could happen?" I got on the hand held VHF and called for assistance. Of course, the only party responding was that loving, compassionate, for-profit towing company (no names mentioned) who offered to come the 1/2 mile or so and tow me in. For "only" $250! I declined the offer, and put out a "good Samaritan" call. No radio response, but in about 15 minutes a local "fishing boat" (Read: 20-something foot glass slipper with enough outboard HP to move an aircraft carrier!) came by and tossed me a line. After replacing the bent mast hinge, getting a new tiller, and finding that the previous owner had incorrectly assembled the jib furler, and fixing that, we sold the boat. And you wonder why my wife was not enthused when I talked about getting another sailboat?
BobAh, ya gave up too easy Bob.
Ya should've been on my "First Sail" in my V-21. The cool thing about sailing trips like that is that ya find most of the hickies early on and the rest is pure fun.
Ya should've been on my "First Sail" in my V-21. The cool thing about sailing trips like that is that ya find most of the hickies early on and the rest is pure fun.
Windward Stay Lost
When losing a shroud, especially one to windward, a standard safety approach (unless the mast has already gone by the board) is to immediately slack both main and jib sheets and turn head to wind. While in irons, drop all sails and jury rig something to stabilize the mast. A spare halyard made fast to a midship cleat or toe-rail usually will supply sufficient tension and support to permit time for a detailed assessment of damage. Once stabilized, or repaired if possible, one may try making shortened sail or, better yet, use the engine and return to port. If the mast is overboard, and it cannot be brought back aboard safely (almost impossible in boats over 24 feet in length), it may cause severe damage to the hull in a heavy seaway. To avoid such damage, securely fasten a spare anchor and rode to the mast, use your anchor buoy to identify it's location, hit the MOB key on your GPS to record its position, report (PAN PAN) the event to warn other mariners, and cut it adrift. It will no doubt sink but you can make arrangements to come back for it later.
When losing a shroud, especially one to windward, a standard safety approach (unless the mast has already gone by the board) is to immediately slack both main and jib sheets and turn head to wind. While in irons, drop all sails and jury rig something to stabilize the mast. A spare halyard made fast to a midship cleat or toe-rail usually will supply sufficient tension and support to permit time for a detailed assessment of damage. Once stabilized, or repaired if possible, one may try making shortened sail or, better yet, use the engine and return to port. If the mast is overboard, and it cannot be brought back aboard safely (almost impossible in boats over 24 feet in length), it may cause severe damage to the hull in a heavy seaway. To avoid such damage, securely fasten a spare anchor and rode to the mast, use your anchor buoy to identify it's location, hit the MOB key on your GPS to record its position, report (PAN PAN) the event to warn other mariners, and cut it adrift. It will no doubt sink but you can make arrangements to come back for it later.
Tack, Don't Go Head to Wind
I disagree with those that say merely to go head to wind. The pumping action could easily tip the mast to what had been leeward and then everything is by the board. I'd immediately tack, then as others have suggested run a spare jib or spinnaker halyard down to the rail (note that most toe rails were not designed for the pull that a shroud will generate) and favor that side as I limped home. Depending on the sea state, I might keep the main up to reduce the hobby horse effect, but I'd certainly furl the genoa. If I had no spare forward halyard, I'd drop the main and use it as the temporary shroud.
I disagree with those that say merely to go head to wind. The pumping action could easily tip the mast to what had been leeward and then everything is by the board. I'd immediately tack, then as others have suggested run a spare jib or spinnaker halyard down to the rail (note that most toe rails were not designed for the pull that a shroud will generate) and favor that side as I limped home. Depending on the sea state, I might keep the main up to reduce the hobby horse effect, but I'd certainly furl the genoa. If I had no spare forward halyard, I'd drop the main and use it as the temporary shroud.
Toe rail?
I would think you would be able to attach it to your chain plates..wouldn't that be the best place to put it anyway? If it was a shroud that used a spreader, what are some good ways to jerry-rig a spreader?
I would think you would be able to attach it to your chain plates..wouldn't that be the best place to put it anyway? If it was a shroud that used a spreader, what are some good ways to jerry-rig a spreader?
Brian, never heard of a spreader jerry-rig.
Spreaders are only for proper sailing. When they can't be rescued by a youngster shinning up the shrouds,,,well, keeping the rig standing is all that can be accomplished. If equipped like Ross with emergency wire, the rig can be repaired. It's just that re-rigging a spreader at sea after a broken wire is very difficult. I'm still trying to recall a story of it having been done,,,. Nope, can't think of any.
Spreaders are only for proper sailing. When they can't be rescued by a youngster shinning up the shrouds,,,well, keeping the rig standing is all that can be accomplished. If equipped like Ross with emergency wire, the rig can be repaired. It's just that re-rigging a spreader at sea after a broken wire is very difficult. I'm still trying to recall a story of it having been done,,,. Nope, can't think of any.
use halyards
get into the wind and use one of your halyards for your jib. This would be my solution with my VN-23 even if I had to drop and remove a sail in a heartbeat to attain the halyard line I could then tie it off on my springer line cleat.any line quickly tied around the mast at any point possible and tied off on the lifeline or whatever would hopefully work in an emergency. I would not sail the boat after that until I fixed the problem by replacing the shroud. I would however sail it easily if I absolutly had to using my halyard as a shroud. both of my halyards are almost at the top of the mast and they're "sta set X " good for as much stress per inch as the shrouds.Due to the three sail cutter rig I would have nore fast options than someone with a main and large genoa.......Smitroe
get into the wind and use one of your halyards for your jib. This would be my solution with my VN-23 even if I had to drop and remove a sail in a heartbeat to attain the halyard line I could then tie it off on my springer line cleat.any line quickly tied around the mast at any point possible and tied off on the lifeline or whatever would hopefully work in an emergency. I would not sail the boat after that until I fixed the problem by replacing the shroud. I would however sail it easily if I absolutly had to using my halyard as a shroud. both of my halyards are almost at the top of the mast and they're "sta set X " good for as much stress per inch as the shrouds.Due to the three sail cutter rig I would have nore fast options than someone with a main and large genoa.......Smitroe
Determine whether the shroud snapped
within reach or above your reach. If within reach just release the sheets, lock the wheel and jump on the starboard deck with a line in hand. Tie rope to wire and the bitter end to deck rail or cleat. Worst case the shroud broke above your reach. Rlease sheets and main halyard, lock the wheel and pull down on main. Throw the line over the leeward spreader and make a sling around the mast and tie it to deck rail or cleat. After securing mast finish taking sails down, cranck motor and head in.
within reach or above your reach. If within reach just release the sheets, lock the wheel and jump on the starboard deck with a line in hand. Tie rope to wire and the bitter end to deck rail or cleat. Worst case the shroud broke above your reach. Rlease sheets and main halyard, lock the wheel and pull down on main. Throw the line over the leeward spreader and make a sling around the mast and tie it to deck rail or cleat. After securing mast finish taking sails down, cranck motor and head in.
Question, How many of you carry wire cutters
aboard. Together with the emergency tiller I carry a pair a of heavy duty wire cutters. In heavy seas you may want to deep six that mast.
aboard. Together with the emergency tiller I carry a pair a of heavy duty wire cutters. In heavy seas you may want to deep six that mast.
It’s been done
Fred said, “It's just that re-rigging a spreader at sea after a broken wire is very difficult. I'm still trying to recall a story of it having been done,,,. Nope, can't think of any.” It’s been done. You can use a spinnaker pole at deck level to get the shroud far enough out to support the mast. It was done on one of the BOC racers. He had the pole at an angle so that he could rig a down line to the old chainplate and get enough tension to keep it together until he got a better fix. All the best, Robert Gainer PS I have large wire cutters
Fred said, “It's just that re-rigging a spreader at sea after a broken wire is very difficult. I'm still trying to recall a story of it having been done,,,. Nope, can't think of any.” It’s been done. You can use a spinnaker pole at deck level to get the shroud far enough out to support the mast. It was done on one of the BOC racers. He had the pole at an angle so that he could rig a down line to the old chainplate and get enough tension to keep it together until he got a better fix. All the best, Robert Gainer PS I have large wire cutters
YIKES! *yks
The discribbed calamity would certainly be delaying at the best, could be dangerious in some positions. I would instantly release the main sheet and the jib sheet. then come abuot into irons and submit a security alert radio call. post a look-out (If available on board) then assis the emergency repairs on sit up under reduced sails and limp back to a secure port, reling on the lower shrouds. Checking the above responces, I'ed say we got some pritty good sailors out there. On the other hand what the hell's matter with the Squid that thunked this one up, Sail'n is suposed to be fun. That an't fun!
The discribbed calamity would certainly be delaying at the best, could be dangerious in some positions. I would instantly release the main sheet and the jib sheet. then come abuot into irons and submit a security alert radio call. post a look-out (If available on board) then assis the emergency repairs on sit up under reduced sails and limp back to a secure port, reling on the lower shrouds. Checking the above responces, I'ed say we got some pritty good sailors out there. On the other hand what the hell's matter with the Squid that thunked this one up, Sail'n is suposed to be fun. That an't fun!
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