[Public-list] Dismasting!

[John Brugeman]

Fellow Albergers, 
   
  The Mermaid (3068305) had a disastrous dismasting in Lake Erie last Saturday July 1st while under sail.  We were on a hard port tack with about 10-15 knots of wind with the rail in the water.  It looks like the upper port shroud let loose at the masthead and then the two port lower ones let loose.  It was like a rifle shot and it was all over in a few seconds.  The mast folded and the mast and sails dove off the boat, with very little damage to the deck and hull except for a couple of deep scratches topside.  We were about 3 miles off Port Clinton, Ohio and were able to be towed in via Boat U.S.  Needless to say, our new main came through without any damage, and the jib had some small rub holes in it which certainly can be repaired.  The mast and the instrumentation at the head, however, were trashed and the rigging will have to all be replaced.  There are also some rub marks on the starboard side of the hull where the mast was rubbing while being towed.
   
  I would like to hear some comments/suggestions from fellow Albergers who may have experienced this same situation. Where might one purchase a new mast with the same configuration, and what brand of turnbuckles and wire would be appropriate for replacement? The boom was not damaged, but the gooseneck was broken and will have to be replaced.  What might one consider for upgrades while we have this opportunity to do some things? We still have a wire main halyard and most of the boat is original. We even have the original Kenyon instruments.
    
  We are still in the investigative stage of this accident without an estimate.  We do have a very capable full service marina, which I am very confident with, handling the estimating and who will be doing most of the work,.  Three years ago we redid the deck on this boat and this same marina did an excellent job.
   
  Needless to say, we are still in shock as to what happened to our lovely lady.