Mast Down on Mooring/Leopard 38

[Ashanty]

This is the "highlight" in and endless line of damage and broken parts of my 2 years owner ship of a Mooring Leopard 38 Cat, bought in Tortola, British Virgin Islands, from Mooring brokers:

The toggle on the forestay broke, the mast was coming down.
One can imagine the damage! Solar Panels, Main sail, Furling system, Genua, Blocks, etc. all gone!

My Leopard 38 is year 2000. The rigg was checked regulary as I'm a bluewater sailor. But it's nearly impossible to check the toggle below the forestay, because the Profurl furling system covers it completly.

There was not to much help from Robertson&Caine, South Africa after the accident, but some 'nice' words from Richard Stubbs, manufactor of Southern Spars:

"All the stays and shrouds should have been replaced at least 5 years ago. [than the Cat was still owned by Moorings...]
You don't ever like to see something like this happening, but having said that it is up to the owners of these boats to adhere to the basics of maintenance."

So make your own decision about this accident and the quality of the products of Southern Spars and not at least Robertson&Caine! It seams the are made for charter not for Bluewater!
In any case:
CHECK YOUR TOGGLE ! Maybe with a little mirror! And it's a good idea to install a Babystay!

[Factor]

Sorry to hear about that.

Are Southern Spars suggesting that rigging only lasts 5 years? Are prospective owners told about that?

[cal40john]

The comment on replacing wire doesn't seem to have much to do with a toggle failing.

John

[Palarran]

Bummer, sorry to hear that. The Moorings haven't been accociated with the boat for a while have they? They normally sell them at 5 years.

I had 3 broken strands in my port shroud on Palarran when I bought her. The boat was 9 years old. I had them replace all the standing rigging at that time.

Who checked the rigging?
What would you attach a baby stay to?

[Dragon Lady]

Thanks for sharing, is there any chance of posting a pic?

[Ashanty]

Originally Posted by Dragon Lady

Thanks for sharing, is there any chance of posting a pic?

Originally Posted by Factor

Sorry to hear about that.

Are Southern Spars suggesting that rigging only lasts 5 years? Are prospective owners told about that?

1. YES
2. No (I was ask not to publish this, to make nobody 'nervous!)

[Ashanty]

Originally Posted by cal40john

The comment on replacing wire doesn't seem to have much to do with a toggle failing.

John

John,

the complete exchange includes the fittings and its about 6500 US $ .
Now you understand!
Every 5 years, nice money for Southern Spare....

[Ashanty]

Originally Posted by Palarran

Bummer, sorry to hear that. The Moorings haven't been accociated with the boat for a while have they? They normally sell them at 5 years.

I had 3 broken strands in my port shroud on Palarran when I bought her. The boat was 9 years old. I had them replace all the standing rigging at that time.

Who checked the rigging?
What would you attach a baby stay to?

This is right! Moorings sells the boart after 5 years! My boat was swapped after 5 years to Sunshine Charter a Moorings company than to Footloose another Moorings company. The contract I hold is from Moorings...

you cannot check this part of the rigging properlz without>
> Taking the mast down
> Demounting all extruders from the furling system
> Demounting the furling system itself!

[Ashanty]

Originally Posted by Ashanty

This is right! Moorings sells the boart after 5 years! My boat was swapped after 5 years to Sunshine Charter a Moorings company than to Footloose another Moorings company. The contract I hold is from Moorings...

you cannot check this part of the rigging properlz without>
> Taking the mast down
> Demounting all extruders from the furling system
> Demounting the furling system itself!

Bought it from Moorings on 20. April 2008

[donradcliffe]

If the wire AND fittings were less than 10 years old, you might have had a dodgy part or undersized rigging. Over 10 years under heavy service, you were pushing your luck. Many people get away with it, but you didn't. Many insurance companies will not cover rigging over 10 years old.

[daddle]

All serious boats on 'Blue Water' should have someone crawl over the entire rig annually. Including pulling the furler apart, taking all the chafe gear off, lubricating the screws, etc. The decision to replace wires or rods can be made at that time.

5 years is plenty of life for rigging actively sailed and exposed to harsh conditions in the tropics.

That would be true for race boats as well.

[Dragon Lady]

Sorry are talking about a failure of the wire or the fitting?