So here's my question: When a person experiences this kind of rig failure, how often does it result in severe injury to those on the boat? If a forestay shackle breaks, does the mast fall pretty much staight backward? What happens to anyone on the tramp in that area? It seems to me like it would have a tremendous amount of force considering the weight of the mast plus the force of the wind in the sails. I sail with my children often, and they're all over the tramp...

I did replace the shrouds after purchasing my boat this winter, but I think I'll replace the forestay shackle as well.

Kevin
Prindle 18
Largo, FL