Rigging failure the cause the lose of mast and rigging - again.

  • November 05, 2012 6:07 PM
    Message # 1129890
    Anonymous member (Administrator)

    October 2, 2012 off the Golden Gate - a Westsail 32  had to cut away her mast and rigging and motor back to port.  " It was the T-bar on the backstay turnbuckle at the lower end.  The T-bar broke away from the threaded part." 

    I believe that what broke is illustrated below.  Note the crack in the T-bar probably from crevice corrosion. 

    Here is what happened when Pygmalion broke one of the above on the stb boomkin stay in 2009.

    The boomkin's split and were driven into the cockpit - just missing this writer.  We didn't lose the almost new mast but I almost got speared.  

    Once again check your rigging for these devices and remove them - Bud has great prices on replacements - much cheaper then replacing the mast, boom, sails, rigging, bow pulpit etc etc.

    Jay

    Here is a picasa album of other scary items to check.

    Last modified: November 06, 2012 10:31 AM | Anonymous member (Administrator)
  • November 05, 2012 9:58 PM
    Reply # 1130022 on 1129890
    Anonymous

    Oh no!! Thank God no one was hurt. That's is some scary stuff!! This just reinforces that we need to check ALL the parts of the rigging on a regular basis.

    I'm glad to hear all is well in the end.

  • November 06, 2012 6:28 AM
    Reply # 1130883 on 1129890

    Jay,

    My sincere simpathy for the dismasting.  I'm glad no one was injured in the accident.  It makes me want to start anew with most of my SS tangs, chainplates, and rigging.  Even if it puts the project behind another year.

    Best,

    Tyler

  • November 06, 2012 10:30 AM
    Reply # 1131058 on 1129890
    Anonymous member (Administrator)
    Sorry for the confusion -- Pygmalion lost the support of the backstay do to the t-bar failing  but kept the mast et a; and no one got injured -- another Westsail 32 had the full loss of the rigging on October 2 2012 no one was injured. 

    I'll let the owner post if he/she wishes.    

    My main point is that these type of threaded T-bar fittings are failing and are long past their life and MUST be replaced ASAP. 

    Jay


  • November 10, 2012 9:08 AM
    Reply # 1134272 on 1129890
    Anonymous member (Administrator)
    The mast fell to port and curled the chain plates also.