We've all heard it said before - check the boat over before every race.

Well I got caught out at the Spinnaker States at Loch Sport when my mainsheet pulleys detached themselves from the boom as I gybed with 2 minutes to the start of a race.

The stainless strap (RF 463) had snapped, which really surprised me. I thought, "how would you know that was going to happen".

But looking at the break I can see that half of it is dark coloured and half is clean fractured metal, so it must have been cracked half through for some time. If I had looked I would have seen it.

Lesson learned (doesn't mean I wont do the same thing again though ).

Oh Dam,
That was ment to break at the nat's <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />
Next time I wont saw that far thru <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Hi All,

Whilst on the subject of checking equipment, any suggestions on a fix for this problem..... see photos.

Cheers

Simon,

If the unfortunate sailor <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" /> were to cut back the track groove, put a couple of stainless steel straps around the circumference of the section and rivet the straps in many places then rivet the halyard fitting to the strip it may just do the job. The only problem would be maintaining the correct offset for the beak.

The alternative would be to trim the section back until there was good material (maybe 20 mm) then rivet the fitting back on. Who wanted that extra 20 mm at the top anyway ? <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

Option 3 of having Santa deliver a new section would probably be the ultimate fix. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Regards,

Peter

Are those two rivet holes the only thing holding this pulley and hook in place?

Rather than put a stainless strap around the mast I would put it over the top so it's anchored at the front of the mast and make it wide enough at the back so it covers the whole width of the flat area. It looks like there's still enough aluminium left to support the load from the mainsail. Just rivet the pulley to the stainless strap.

Before you do that make sure you seal the top. You will have to push a plug down past the corroded part, with silicon, and put a few rivets in for it to rest on so it can't be pushed further in to the mast.

Thanks Tim.

There were 3 rivets and the plate with the pulley had a lip which sat over the aluminum.

I have made a bracket/strap out of aluminum that is a little thicker than the mast section and was planning to rivet that to the mast in 4-6 places and place the hook back as was.

When compared to how it was prior, this repair should be a fair bit stronger, at least to my non-technical eye.

From what you've suggested though, perhaps I should use stainless rather than Al.

Cheers and Thanks.

Aluminium is ok but if you have to bend it much it may break.

At the top of the mast, it may be suitable to remove the bad aluminium and weld another piece on...There's little risk of the mast distorting up there and is unlikely to fail. The worst that could happen if it fails is that the main drops. If done properly it would be a whole lot neater than stainless straps and rivets.

buy a new mast, use duralac on new mast.
sell old mast to an arrow sailor

you could scrounge around for an off cut from a section one size smaller. cut off the sail track part and sleeve the top of your mast( about 6 inches).
we used to do this on lower sections of mast. especially around the gooseneck

Thanks for the thoughts everyone.

I went with the aluminum strap. If it lasts, I'll get a new section at the end of the season

Looking at the forecast for tomorrow, I guess I'll be finding out sooner rather than later as to whether it will do the job. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" />

Cheers

Simon,

Looking at tomorrow's weather forecast. I doubt whether you you will even get off the beach <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/ooo.gif" alt="" />

If you set up with the Mozzie on its side with mainsail attached and apply varying downhaul tensions you should be able to see what is happening at the mast head.

Hope it all works well.

Regards,

Peter

Per sailing checks found this little problem, this is a forestay that was new four regattas ago and the broken wire is in the middle. If you look closely you will see the wire has rubbed against something. Our guess is when the wire has been tied to the mast on the trailer.
Peter

Pete,

I couldn't download the attachment for some reason. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />

Please re-attach.

Regards,

Peter

Peter, I am not sure I will give Tim a call
Peter

Pic of wire, take two

Pic of wire take three

Peter,

I still can't view the attachment for some reason.

Please re-attach. It worked OK on the rudder thread attachment. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

Regards,

Peter

Take four Wire Pic

Peter,

Definitely something you wouldn't want to have fail at the nationals. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" /> Did you find the matching culprit that caused this ? I would think that most things on the trailer would only put a uniform compression load on rigging.

Regards,

Peter