[Public-list] Dismasting!

Thu Jul 13 09:04:54 PDT 2006

I guess that all of the correspondance re: dismasting is between skippers who have their boats in salt water. Am I right? Just to put it perspective. Ed. Schroeder #303 Emotional Rescue in Chicago.

sousa_stephen at emc.com wrote:  Mike,

My rigger recommended in 1997 when the rigging was replaced on #114 to
remove and discard the turnbuckles. The newer product provides a shackle
provide some gives when under pressure. His recommendation was to remove
the turnbuckles since they had too much play in the threads from wear.
Also I know there are differences of opinion, my rigger suggest that the
average life of rigging is 10-15 years or as he states you can wait
until the mast falls, then upgrade many items. 

Stephen 

-----Original Message-----
From: public-list-bounces at alberg30.org
[mailto:public-list-bounces at alberg30.org] On Behalf Of Michael Connolly
Sent: Thursday, July 13, 2006 11:50 AM
To: Alberg 30 Public List -- open to all
Subject: Re: [Public-list] Dismasting!

John,
It looks like you have taken proper precautions to prevent a
dismasting. I wonder if there is a failsafe way of inspecting older
bronze fittings. My boat #133 has all of its original bronze fittings
and if I remember there is a clevis at each end of each of the
turnbuckles, but no shackles. Did you have an extra shackle fitting
between the turnbuckle clevis and the SS Chainplate? 

Sorry to hear of the damage to your boat. Do you slip at Travis
Boatyard in Port Clinton? If so, have you seen the Alberg 30 that was
made into a Yawl? Do you know how well that boat sails?

Michael 

John Brugeman wrote: Michael,

This mast is removed every fall and inspected every spring at launch. I
think this was a matter of age fatigue of some of the original bronz
fittings. I replaced wires in 1998 but some of the old shackles were
reused because they looked great. None of the wires failed, which is
usually the case. Always the fittings.

John Brugeman, Mermaid 305

Michael Connolly wrote:
John,
I am curious. Were all the stays and shrouds original or had you done
any replacements? How often have you inspected the rig? When you have
inspected all and know exactly what failed I would like to know what
failed and where. Thanks.

George will know who is making a mast extrusion that is closest to the
original. Shipping will likely be much of the cost to you.

Michael #133

John Brugeman wrote: 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.
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