What would you do if this happened?

[Don Guillette]

My good friend Stu J is always reading my mind!! It isn't easy to think up topics that lead to a discussion and my plan was to use the mast failure topic as a segway into this topic but Stu J jumped the gun on me.

Here's the set up --- you have to visualize you're on your boat RIGHT now sailing along closehauled in 10 knots of wind enjoying a "tinney" and your beautiful partner. Life is good-- right. Got the picture??

Suddenly the SHROUD breaks!!!! What is the first thing you do INSTANTLY and give the reason why???? Remember you've only seconds to decide what to do.

Another scenario -- same sailing situation but this time the FORESTAY fails. What's the first thing you do INSTANTLY and give a reason why???

Last scenario --- same sailing scenario but this time the BACKSTAY fails. What's the first ting you do INSTANTLY and give the reason why.

Think the above situations only happens to your dock neighbor -- think again. If you can't answer these three questions immediatley then do your homework or read the comments from guys that know what to do in each situation and store it in your memory.

When I bought my C30 I knew the deck harware had problems because I could see the cracks. The first thing I did was have a local rigger check the whole situation. What I couldn't see at the top of the mast was worse than what I could see at deck level. This boat was a accident waiting to happen and the previous owner had it in charter!!!! How many mates chartering boats would know what to do in the above situations. The answer is a precious few!!

Stu, I'd never make a good pilot. I'd always be looking for a landing field!!!!

 

[Charles Erwin]

I will have a lash. Helm thus to turn the broken shroud to the leeward side - the side of the rig that is not in tension. Down the canvass. Rig up something to make things stable. Install replacement?

 

[Cmp1110]

Shroud- tack to put on leeward drop sails
Forestay- turn and run off downwind drop lower jib secure jib halyard to stabilize
Backstay- luff up head to wind lower sails secure main halyard or topping lift to stabilize

I have a b&r rig so Forestay would be worst case for us

 

[Joe]

Immediately put the damage to leeward...

 

[klemsaba]

I'm fairly inexperienced and have thought about this a lot last year. This is what I had in my mind I would do... I would turn into the wind and drop the sails in all scenarios.

Forestay - use the jib halyard as a temporary forestay.
Backstay - use the main halyard as a temporary backstay.
Shroud - use either the jib or main halyards at a temporary stay.

My lowers are fore and aft of the mains so hopefully those would buy me some time if the fore and back stays broke.

I look forward to the responses and advice...

Thanks.

Doug

 

[timvg]

Suddenly the SHROUD breaks!!!! What is the first thing you do INSTANTLY and give the reason why???? Remember you've only seconds to decide what to do:

Tack immediately onto the opposite tack. This takes the pressure off of the broken shroud.

Another scenario -- same sailing situation but this time the FORESTAY fails. What's the first thing you do INSTANTLY and give a reason why???

Immediiately run down wind. This takes the pressure off of the forestay.


Last scenario --- same sailing scenario but this time the BACKSTAY fails. What's the first ting you do INSTANTLY and give the reason why.

Immediately turn the boat into the wind. This takes the pressure off of the backstay.

 

[Cool Beans]

If there is something you can do when a shroud breaks, does that mean the mast doesn't instantly fold over at the spreaders?

 

[Joe]

If there is something you can do when a shroud breaks, does that mean the mast doesn't instantly fold over at the spreaders?

Yes....... turn the boat immediately..... if it's a wire failure it won't pop clean, it will most likely begin unravelling... failing strand by strand.... A fitting failure, such as the turnbuckle, may be more instantaneous and you won't have as much time....

In any event... shifting the load over to the good side by turning the boat asap may give you time to figure out how to save the rig.

 

[timvg]

Joe: My thoughts exactly.

 

[sinnettc]

You've all got it wrong. The FIRST thing I'd do is let off an F-Bomb, then tack/turn down wind/turn into the wind.

 

[Cayennita]

I've had all 3 happen to me through out my cruising and racing years. The only time I lost the deck stepped mast was in my 1987 Hunter Legend 35. In that case the compression post support above the keel collapsed and the deck curved downward enough to loosen up the whole rig while going to windward in 15 k apparent. It folded in the middle and went over the side. Cut the whole thing off and let it sink. Started the engine and called the insurance company to get a new improved rig.

 

[timebandit]

I guess there is one advantage to trailor sailing, you can check the rig everytime youu go out.

As to the what if's the first thing is to remove the load either by changing course or releasing the sheets or both.

I carry 4 cable clamps and motorcycle rachette tie downs for emergency repairs.

 

[Don Guillette]

I received a personal email today indicating I'm scaring the crap out of newbies with some of these scenarios!! How scared with this person be if one of the events actually happened and he was not prepared to deal with it? Being unprepared can actually get someone killed.

Here's why I do what I do. My wife and I have grown children who refer to us as "Mr. and Mrs. NO". You should hear some of the ridiculous things they they come up with -- maybe your children are the same way. Anyway, some of the things they do defy logic and good common sense. A 6th grade student would think they were crazy ideas!! We are not negative and go against ideas just to be obstinate. Our goal as parents is "to light a fire of ideas" ----- same thing here on the sail trim forum!!!

 

[Charles Erwin]

Yes - very good point. Meanwhile, how did the answers to the original question measure up?

 

[All U Get]

Hi Don,
I like having a "Plan B" if there is a situation developing. It would be far worse having something go wrong and not having a clue what to do. Knowing how to start it, stop it, and what makes it go are the basics. How to take care of it from then on is the real education. I enjoy the mental exercise, keep 'em coming.
All U Get

 

[Doc_holiday]

We should ask the guy on the Viagra commercial. When his main sheet let loose, he held the loaded main/ boom with one hand while he calmly used his belt until he could grab another shackle.

 

[shipwreck66]

Maybe I'm a big chicken but I carry bolt cutters now. In a worse case scenario I'm cutting it all loose and will lash it to the side if possible. I had a C22 forestay break loose and come back on me, and I really wanted it somewhere else. And no Don, it's not a bad question at all, just one I figured out while covered in sheet, boom, wires, halyards, etc in a 30kt wind. I remembered thinking " I wish I had some boltcutters"

 

[DeniseO30]

but bolt cutters won't cut stainless cable .. at least I don't think they would. you would have to cut turnbuckles I guess.

 

[justsomeguy]

Maybe I'm a big chicken but I carry bolt cutters now. In a worse case scenario I'm cutting it all loose and will lash it to the side if possible. I had a C22 forestay break loose and come back on me, and I really wanted it somewhere else. And no Don, it's not a bad question at all, just one I figured out while covered in sheet, boom, wires, halyards, etc in a 30kt wind. I remembered thinking " I wish I had some boltcutters"

Where did the forestay fail? And please, don't say "In Grapevine"!

 

[shipwreck66]

fitting at top of mast was missing when I sorted out the pieces. And yes, my bolt cutters will cut stainless, quite well