My last trip of the year became something of an adventure. The morning conditions were S-SW winds 10-20 and waves 1-3ft. The forecast for later in the afternoon was 15-25 becoming west, gusts to 35 and gale warning with waves offshore increasing to 10-12. After a long and enjoyable port tack heading west I decided to take it in a little closer to shore. We had plenty of time but I didn't want to get too far out in case the forecast was off. That's where things went wrong. We came about ok, well, almost ok. The port jib sheet caught up and the jib backwinded. It filled and was pulling, but it wasn't taking the mast down or anything. I'd guess the winds were still a modest 15-20. Since I couldn't see where the sheet was hung up, I tacked back again, cleared the sheets and turned south for the second time. This time the jib came through but I immediately tensed as I saw the turnbuckle of the upper shroud dancing around several feet above the deck and the top of the mast doing a good imitation of licorice on a hot tin roof. I immediately ordered the sails doused, and started the engine. We turned into the wind and finished taking down and furling the main and jib and motored the remainder of the leg. When we were settled I checked the turnbuckle and found that it was intact. The clevis pin had come out it seems, perhaps the cotter pin is what the sheet had snagged (tape must have worn through). Conditions were not so bad as to think there was enough force to shear the clevis pin itself. I had debated reefing at the dock but at that time the winds were easily nearer to 10. So I set up for reefing but hoisted the full main. Prior to the tack I was only heeling a steady 22-25 degrees or so, nothing to complain about. If it had been sunny with diminishing winds I think I would have had a very different reaction to the whole incident. So my question is (are), could I possibly have prevented the dangling shroud by some other action and could the actions I did take have made the situation worse if my luck hadn't held? For a brief moment I had visions of being dismasted.
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Go back immediately to port tack ...
I assume that it was your starboard shroud that came loose. I don't have any objection to starting the engine and dousing sails, but rather than head to wind, I think you needed to be on port tack to put your weakened starboard side in a slack condition. Then you could rig a spare halyard to the chainplate. If you don't have a spare then douse the jib and use the halyard for the starboard shroud. You can't douse the main with it loaded on a port tack, but I think the first step is to get the boat heeling on the side with the loose shroud, so that you can rig something to take it's place.
I assume that it was your starboard shroud that came loose. I don't have any objection to starting the engine and dousing sails, but rather than head to wind, I think you needed to be on port tack to put your weakened starboard side in a slack condition. Then you could rig a spare halyard to the chainplate. If you don't have a spare then douse the jib and use the halyard for the starboard shroud. You can't douse the main with it loaded on a port tack, but I think the first step is to get the boat heeling on the side with the loose shroud, so that you can rig something to take it's place.
Possible to go aloft?
Would it have been possible to go aloft? The waves were 1-3' right? I've gone aloft in calm waters and light wind before but not those conditions. If it were 1' I think it could be done. I think 3' could be if it were dire necessity. I actually hate motoring so much that I would actually be wanting to go aloft and fix it if I could. Of course though...first action would be to change tacks to give it a rest.
Would it have been possible to go aloft? The waves were 1-3' right? I've gone aloft in calm waters and light wind before but not those conditions. If it were 1' I think it could be done. I think 3' could be if it were dire necessity. I actually hate motoring so much that I would actually be wanting to go aloft and fix it if I could. Of course though...first action would be to change tacks to give it a rest.
Simple things
tcbro - That's correct, the lower turnbuckle of the upper shroud. Sometimes the simple solution is right there in front of you. It was the starboard shroud and I do have a spare halyard in fact. My initial impulse was to take all force off the unbalanced rig as quickly as possible. But going back to port tack to ease forces on the mast would have been even quicker than starting the motor and dropping the sails and it turns out with only the pin missing I might even have been able to reattach the shroud itself with a spare pin. I could have sailed back! I'm not terribly at ease tuning the rigging. I guess my mind just wouldn't let me go there given the conditions and the possibility of worsening weather. As far as going aloft, my wife gets nervous if I take the mast ladder out at the dock
tcbro - That's correct, the lower turnbuckle of the upper shroud. Sometimes the simple solution is right there in front of you. It was the starboard shroud and I do have a spare halyard in fact. My initial impulse was to take all force off the unbalanced rig as quickly as possible. But going back to port tack to ease forces on the mast would have been even quicker than starting the motor and dropping the sails and it turns out with only the pin missing I might even have been able to reattach the shroud itself with a spare pin. I could have sailed back! I'm not terribly at ease tuning the rigging. I guess my mind just wouldn't let me go there given the conditions and the possibility of worsening weather. As far as going aloft, my wife gets nervous if I take the mast ladder out at the dock
Good Call Scott
Tacking back to put the shroud on the leeward side is the best first response. A+ Randy
Tacking back to put the shroud on the leeward side is the best first response. A+
RandyAgree 100 percent. about tacking
this would also have put slack in the wayward shroud. since the pin was lost you could have then taken a phillips head screw driver to use as a temp pin. and just tape it in place, not pretty, but would have worked to get you home. S/V Que Pasa?
this would also have put slack in the wayward shroud. since the pin was lost you could have then taken a phillips head screw driver to use as a temp pin. and just tape it in place, not pretty, but would have worked to get you home. S/V Que Pasa?
It's easier to think of the best response ...
When you are safely on shore! I can emphasize with the situation ... tacking to the port side points you out to sea with a loose shroud when conditions are expected to get more difficult. Your crew may think you are crazy until you quickly fix the problem! The positive in this situation is that you gained an experience and shared it on the forum. I know that the next time I go over to the boat, I am going to check all the clevis pins and cotter pins on the rigging - something I don't do often enough. Think of a different situation ... supposing you had the same problem, but instead you encountered it while heading towards the shoreline and going back to port tack would leave you very little time to correct it before you end up on the rocks!
When you are safely on shore! I can emphasize with the situation ... tacking to the port side points you out to sea with a loose shroud when conditions are expected to get more difficult. Your crew may think you are crazy until you quickly fix the problem! The positive in this situation is that you gained an experience and shared it on the forum. I know that the next time I go over to the boat, I am going to check all the clevis pins and cotter pins on the rigging - something I don't do often enough. Think of a different situation ... supposing you had the same problem, but instead you encountered it while heading towards the shoreline and going back to port tack would leave you very little time to correct it before you end up on the rocks!
Happened To Me
I've had this happen. Tacked immediately to put the detached shroud on the leeward side. Dug around and found a spare pin. Clipped in. Crawled forward with the pin in my teeth. Laid down against the cabintop w/ my feet dug into the toerail. Grabbed the swinging shroud. Backed out the turnbuckle a bit. Reassembled/re-tightened. Back to cockpit. Crossed fingers. Tacked. Whew! It held together. There's more than one way to skin a cat. You're actions were prudent. I was in the middle of a channel crossing & had nowhere to motor to. Jeff
I've had this happen. Tacked immediately to put the detached shroud on the leeward side. Dug around and found a spare pin. Clipped in. Crawled forward with the pin in my teeth. Laid down against the cabintop w/ my feet dug into the toerail. Grabbed the swinging shroud. Backed out the turnbuckle a bit. Reassembled/re-tightened. Back to cockpit. Crossed fingers. Tacked. Whew! It held together. There's more than one way to skin a cat. You're actions were prudent. I was in the middle of a channel crossing & had nowhere to motor to. Jeff
Obviously you done good
You did not lose your mast and you made it back to port. Proof is in the pudding. You did a nice job dealing with what could have been a disaster. There is more than one way to skin a cat. What you did worked and who cares about what you could have done. My hat is off to you. Yes, next time (hopefully not) tacking back would be a good idea, It is so much easier to give advise from the comfort of my computer room.
You did not lose your mast and you made it back to port. Proof is in the pudding. You did a nice job dealing with what could have been a disaster. There is more than one way to skin a cat. What you did worked and who cares about what you could have done. My hat is off to you. Yes, next time (hopefully not) tacking back would be a good idea, It is so much easier to give advise from the comfort of my computer room.
Three Times ....
First, a lower quick-connect to the chainplate failed. In this case, we were faked out since it sounded as if we'd hit something and were scrounging about down below to check for leaks, etc. Then we saw the mast and tacked but it was too late to save it even tho it did not come all the way down. Second time, I was in the head and looked out the port to see the turnbuckle on the lee side adrift. I took my pocketknife that had a phillips screwdriver bit and stuck it into the clevis pin hole until we were able to put a bolt in it. Third time, almost the same as the first. Big BANG, boat shuttered, and I looked up to see the top of the mast bending off to leeward. Slam tacked, turned the engine on, dropped the jib, brought the jib halyard to the rail and motored back. I was surprised how much we needed to winch down the halyard to stabilize the mast. However, the mast was toast anyway. I think you did fine. There is good coffe-table debate over these incidents, but real-world applications involve both judgement and luck. Rick D. PS: in two out of the three incidents, the boat had just been rigged after yard work and in the other had just been re-rigged. A good argument for checking everything several times by yourself despite having a qualified techie do the work.
First, a lower quick-connect to the chainplate failed. In this case, we were faked out since it sounded as if we'd hit something and were scrounging about down below to check for leaks, etc. Then we saw the mast and tacked but it was too late to save it even tho it did not come all the way down. Second time, I was in the head and looked out the port to see the turnbuckle on the lee side adrift. I took my pocketknife that had a phillips screwdriver bit and stuck it into the clevis pin hole until we were able to put a bolt in it. Third time, almost the same as the first. Big BANG, boat shuttered, and I looked up to see the top of the mast bending off to leeward. Slam tacked, turned the engine on, dropped the jib, brought the jib halyard to the rail and motored back. I was surprised how much we needed to winch down the halyard to stabilize the mast. However, the mast was toast anyway. I think you did fine. There is good coffe-table debate over these incidents, but real-world applications involve both judgement and luck. Rick D. PS: in two out of the three incidents, the boat had just been rigged after yard work and in the other had just been re-rigged. A good argument for checking everything several times by yourself despite having a qualified techie do the work.
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