Storms in North Texas

[txjim]

Had quite the storm system blow through North Texas last night and this morning. I keep my 170 rigged on the trailer at Grapevine Lake which allows me to slip in an afternoon sail.

I got the dredded call from the marina today informing me that my boat tipped off the trailer and was resting on my neighbor. What probably happened was the jib unfurled and, while flogging in the wind, caught a gust which pushed the boat & trailer over. I keep several wraps of the jib sheets around the sail and the sheets well tied but this was insufficient for this storm. After seeing other damage to the area (and seeing 2 other boats on their side in the yard) I suspect we had some pretty severe straight-line winds.

Believe it or not, there was no contact with the other boat other than the rigging on it's tow bar. My damage appears to be limited to a broken spreader and damage to the jib while it was furling.

We'll see if the jib is repairable but I'm worried about the sail after spending a few hours flapping in the wind. I'll get the spreader ASAP.

I have not had great luck contacting Hunter parts. Can someone shoot me a contact name/number/email?

thanks...

 

[Broke sailor SV Marcell]

That sucks. Mike Thomas at Hunter Marine 800-771-5556xt 3615 Good luck.

 

[michaelanthony]

I have had hank on jibs for all my past boats and am now really enjoying the ease of roller furling. But these stories worry me. How is it possible for the sail to unfurl if the roll in sheets are secured and as you said wrapped a few times around the jib.
The stresses on the roller drum when the head sail is "reefed" must be enormous however i don't hear too much about them unfurling in a blow... and if they do, at sea in a storm... wow, thats scary!
Hope you get back in the water soon Jim.
Mike

 

[txjim]

I had the sheets wrapped 3X around and tensioned in their cam cleats. Next time I tie them to something as the wind pumping the furled jib could have been the reason the sheets let go. I'll also use additional straps or a jib sock.

I have had some minor issues with the 170 furling mechanism but, to be fair, it's a very simple setup and I would expect the system for your 34 would have better results.

Dropped the jib off at a sail loft today to see if it is worth repairing. The 170 jib is a $400 or so problem so it's not the end of the world and I still think I came out lucky. The owner of the loft was telling me about the large number of jibs he refurled at the marina where he keeps his his boat.

 

[Brian M H23]

Cheap insurance:
a simple line tied through the clew ring,around the sail, and a good square knot!

 

[michaelanthony]

Glad to hear the costs are not too bad considering the situation...

Brian, thats such an obvious, perfect safeguard... that I would have never have thought of! I've been hanking toooo long!
Mike

 

[txjim]

That sucks. Mike Thomas at Hunter Marine 800-771-5556xt 3615 Good luck.

I had read about the great service from Hunter regarding parts but just experienced this first-hand. The prices were quite reasonable ($290 for the jib!) and very easy to work with.

Thanks for the advice regarding securing the jib!