Yep, Classic Failures!!! That is where the anchor bolts break. I think it has to do with the "threading" w/die operation in manufacturing the part due to heating of the part. Maybe they are running the die too fast and it heats up the part if not properly lubricated/cooled??? Steve Cooley's looked exactly the same at this years H-18NAs, it made a LOUD bang when his starb pin went on the starting line. I was close aboard on his port side and looked over my shoulder to see his mast laying over to me. Faster boat ... faster .... I lost one years ago when sailing with a Special Olympian on board (just after the 95' games). Looked exactly the same. Thanks for the reminder, I'll change mine.

Shackles: I installed shackles awhile ago on the bridle/hull tang point, furler adjustment rack and the shroud adjuster to anchor pin point. Install them with the pins orientated: top down or inside to outside. This way if the pins come loose they have to thread "up" or they thread "in" and fall on the boat. ... Then I got to thinking .... "CAPTIVE PINS" ... Yah, I know they are expensive but no lost pins !!! I like Wichard? brand.

I did this at first at the bridles and shrouds so I had some place to tie off a line to the boat. When being towed I tie a "bridle" to the front crossbar but I would "run-over" the tow line .... so I attach a Carbiner to the shackle and pass the towing bridle through the carbiner, this keeps the towing line "high" and you can't run over it.

I have two shackles on the furler adjustment rack, one the jib attaches to, the lowwer one I use as a turning point for the jib halyard.

The shackles at the shrouds I tie a 1/8 piece of amsteel to and run it up to the inside front corner of my magnum wings to brace the wings against forward "shock" load when trapped out, I have footstraps sewn into my wing covers so when you stuff a bow and you have you feet in the straps you can generate a large shock load.

The only place I use Quick-Pins is for my hotstick (and I always take it off when I hit the beach), and for my mainsail clew to boom attachment. I like to drop the boom when on the beach !!! Yah, I got smacked in the head, once was enough!!!

To fix a wobbly Telocat replace the clevis pins between the bridles and furler with SS 1/4"/20 x 1" mach screws (use NYLOCK nuts !!!!)

Tape any remaining pins. You can get different color elec tapes at Home Depot or Lowes !!! You can color coordinate !!!

And who says guys aren't crafty !!!

Good Luck
HarryMurphey
H-18/#9458 Fleet 54 Div 11
P-19mx/#86 CRAC

Hey guys , HELP !!! I take a long time to compose this and it "times-out" on me so I'm composing in Word. What do I need to do so I do not screw up the Forums format ??? I've got to be making people crazy: curser right ... curser left ... curser ....