My first (and hopefully last) demasting...

[OldFrog75]

Went out for a short late afternoon sail last week in 8-12 kts of wind on a Capri 22. While sailing on a beam reach, the lower shroud on the port side broke and before I could tack around to shift the load to the starboard side, the mast snapped in half at the spreaders and then tore what was left of the mast and step off the deck when everything (mast, rigging, sails) fell over the starboard side of the boat and into the water.


(Recent post-mortem = T-bar fitting failure on the lower shroud)

Fortunately no one was injured (there were 3 of us on board) and the boat was small enough that we were able to drag everything out of the water and back on board without knocking a hole in the hull or cutting anyone and then motor back to the slip.


Nothing I have read or talked about adequately prepared me for how fast all of this happens. It was like, pow...wtf..crash! Clearly an argument for inspecting and/or refitting one's standing rigging on a "regular basis".

[svHyLyte]

Originally Posted by OldFrog75

Went out for a short late afternoon sail last week in 8-12 kts of wind on a Capri 22. While sailing on a beam reach, the lower shroud on the port side broke and before I could tack around to shift the load to the starboard side, the mast snapped in half at the spreaders and then tore what was left of the mast and step off the deck when everything (mast, rigging, sails) fell over the starboard side of the boat and into the water.


(Recent post-mortem = T-bar fitting failure on the lower shroud)

Fortunately no one was injured (there were 3 of us on board) and the boat was small enough that we were able to drag everything out of the water and back on board without knocking a hole in the hull or cutting anyone and then motor back to the slip.


Nothing I have read or talked about adequately prepared me for how fast all of this happens. It was like, pow...wtf..crash! Clearly an argument for inspecting and/or refitting one's standing rigging on a "regular basis".

How old was the rig?

[OldFrog75]

Originally Posted by svHyLyte

How old was the rig?

Good question. I don't know. I will try to find out.

[Hydra]

OldFrog,
Could you post a picture of the fracture area on the failed part?

Alain

[barnakiel]

Similar failure in our boat on our way from Panama towards Galapagos:

- lower shroud, T-bar terminal, (Haselfors, (now Selden), 5 mm wire). Some time later they upgraded this (beefed up). We have twin lowers, it was a light day, and so we could save the mast.

These need regular replacement - also their backing (in-mast) plates.

How old is this piece of your rigging?

barnakiel

[JPA Cate]

Old Frog,

You have my sympathy. It is never a good thing when you hear the big ka-BANG!

Ann

[OldFrog75]

Originally Posted by Hydra

OldFrog,
Could you post a picture of the fracture area on the failed part?

Alain

Unfortunately I didn't have my phone/camera with me and missed the photo op for the boards here. The boat is now out for repairs. If they still have the fitting laying around, I'll try to get a picture.

The upper and lower shrouds are attached to tangs that are bolted onto the mast. The shouds have T-bar fittings (shaped like a J with a bar across the end) that slide into slots in the tang. The T-bar snapped off the end of the fitting on the lower shroud and then the mast snapped in half at the spreaders.

For those who asked, I will try to find out how old the rigging was.

[OldFrog75]

Originally Posted by Ann T. Cate

Old Frog,

You have my sympathy. It is never a good thing when you hear the big ka-BANG!

Ann

Thanks. The good news is no one was injured.