I had a bad experience sailing yesterday and now I'm a litttle leary about getting back out on the water. I have a couple of sailboats and normally I try to sail at least once a week (except in the Winter). I have taken my Prindle out a handful of times and in the past I had some leakage problems which I believe is fixed now. I actually had a complete hull swamped but made it back to shore without too much drama. After some repairs, the last time out the boat performed well with no water getting in the hulls. So it should be OK. BUT...

Yesterday I was taking a few people with me sailing so we opted to take out my Mirage 5.5 instead of the Prindle. We were out in 13mph gusting to 21mph winds..nothing really bad. I've been out in much worse on this boat. While sailing on a starboard tack the windward shroud popped out of the spreader and just like that the mast doubled over and snapped. The top of the mast (along with the sails) was dragging in the water on the port side of the boat. Luckily no one was injured and I managed to get the boat back to the marina using the trolling motor. Now I'm searching frantically for a replacement mast. I have no idea where to look seeing this boat is 29 years old.

All that being said I'm really worried about taking the Prindle out now. I know one has nothing to do with the other but when something like that happens with no warning it makes you nervous. I've checked the standing rigging on the Prindle and it all seems to be in good shape, I've replaced all the running rigging as well. Other than replacing all the standing rigging (lots of $$ for me right now, especially now that I need to find a new mast) what advice can you offer?
Thanks for your input!!
Steve

Hi Steve, here is your reassurance.... "YOU CAN DO IT!"

now for the reality check. I have been sailing cats for over 11 years now (and dinghies for over 30). That is the first time i ever heard of a mast diamond wire popping out/breaking.

I had reversed my spreader pins/rings to reduce corrosion on the mast (about a year ago) and just happened to notice i was missing a ring ding last month. no idea for how long.. but it was a good wake up notice. the safe thing to do is tape up ALL your rings... and then inspect often

I would have to think either a pin came out (ring ding missing) or their was fatal corrosion somewhere in the wires.

The take home message would be ... inspect your gear often... and go sail. Things break, masts fall, sails rip, ego's bruise.. but its all a part of the game.

Be safe, make sure your crew is too and go sail.

If you are really worried, then bite the bullet and replace your standing rigging.

salty dog standing rigging set(no diamond wire) 207$(p-18). sail the prindle! its a rugged design and probably cheaper to get back on the water with. de- masting freaks you out a bit but after thorough inspections and repairs, you will know what you got and feel much more confident. get back on that horse and ride!...a wise man once told me you never stop paying for your education.

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Check out "Prindle Sailors" on Facebook!
bill harris
hattiesburg, mississippi
prindle 16- "BLUE RIBBON"
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I agree with Andrew. Go for it.
After my scary incident sailing (have a big scar on my thumb to remind me) I thought I would be leary to get beack out there (questioning my skill and boat). But I felt this urge to get right back out there, the same day. I even envyed guy in my cove flying in a SUNFISH in the 15-20 kts that beached us, on the same day as my incident.
You know deep down you can't wait to get back out there an conquer it.

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Gray Amick
Chapin, SC
'77 NACRA 5.2
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Thanks Andrew. With the boat on the trailer I was checking over the rest of the rigging to find out what had failed. As far as I can tell there is no corrosion on any of the rigging and none of the shrouds broke. It appears the shrouds were safety wired to the spreaders and the safety wire failed. I found broken pieces still on the spreader and the shround.

I am going to a family reunion this weekend on a lake 200 miles away and was planning on taking a sailboat with me. Thinking now I might skip bringing a boat. Would be very embarrassing to have a failure like that in front of the family. In my experience it seems family can be the most critical if something like that happens.

I'm planning on replacing all the standing rigging as soon as $$ allows. If I can only do a little at a time where would you suggest starting? Forestay? Shrouds? Diamond wires? I have already bought new bridle wires from salty dog marine.
Steve

Which model Prindle do you sail? I have some rigging thats in good shape that i was given and wouldnt mind giving it to a good home if it will fit.

Gray-thanks for the encouragement! Sorry to hear about the scar but glad you didn't let the incident slow you down. Last time out on the Prindle was exciting. I actually flew a hull for the first time. I don't have a trap harness that will fit me so I was sitting on the windward hull and hiking out. Maybe just getting back out and doing it would work. Today there are some pretty gusty winds so maybe tomorrow might be better.
Steve

Turbocat- I have a 1981 Prindle 18. I have already bought allot of new items and planning doing a mini-restoration soon. So far I have a new tramp, new lacing, new deck hatches, new bridle wires, new trapeze wires. Also bought primer, paint, thinner, hardner to refinish the top of the decks.
I just broke down and ordered new diamond wires, shrouds, and new upper and lower forestay wires before I ready your message. I'll just have adjust my budget to make up the difference. I decided I'd rather be safe than sorry.
Steve

The truth is things happen and on a sailboat usually in bad conditions. Ride the horse till she bucks you and have a PFD on.

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Nacra 5.2
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Terry..that is so true. I make everyone wear a PFD especially when on the Prindle. Things happen way to fast to take chances.

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I'm planning on replacing all the standing rigging as soon as $$ allows. If I can only do a little at a time where would you suggest starting? Forestay? Shrouds? Diamond wires? I have already bought new bridle wires from salty dog marine.
Steve

shrouds seem to fail more often than any other standing rigging (as far as i have seen). i would start with them.

then just for money savings i would replace the single forestay vs the double spreader stays.

Andrew- obviously yesterdays mishap has me a little paranoid..LOL. As I was sitting here thinking I remembered that one of the diamond wires has a broken strand where it lays across the traveler beam. The previous owner had used some epoxy to cover the broken wire and bond everything together. It has worked up until now and I've been meaning to replace it but.....now seems the opportune time to make the boat 100% reliable. I decided to bite the bullet and just replace all the standing rigging. My bank account will take a hit but less than replacing a broken mast or worse yet someone getting hurt.

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I remembered that one of the diamond wires has a broken strand where it lays across the traveler beam.

do you mean when the mast is down (as the diamonds are no where near any beams when the mast is erect)

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The previous owner had used some epoxy to cover the broken wire and bond everything together.

i am no expert but that sounds like a disaster waiting.

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now seems the opportune time to make the boat 100% reliable.

even new boats break. you can be careful and take precautions (and should) but nothing is 100% (besides death and taxes)

Andrew- with the mast down and ready to raise the port diamond wire (I think its the port one) rests on the rear traveler, even when using a 6' ladder to support the mast it still touches. The PO had mentioned he had sailed it like that for awhile with no problems. Since I checked it everytime before I raised the mast I had been sailing with it that way and saving up the $$ to replace both the diamond wires. Seems I've had a wakeup call. Anything mechanical can fail, I'm just trying to be as preventive as possible.

SteveON

Andrew- with the mast down and ready to raise the port diamond wire (I think its the port one) rests on the rear traveler, even when using a 6' ladder to support the mast it still touches. The PO had mentioned he had sailed it like that for awhile with no problems. Since I checked it everytime before I raised the mast I had been sailing with it that way and saving up the $$ to replace both the diamond wires. Seems I've had a wakeup call. Anything mechanical can fail, I'm just trying to be as preventive as possible.

gotcha..
you should replace ANY stay with ANY broken strands. esp a diamond wire (for the exact reason above... i would rather drop a mast than lose a diamond wire)

Well i guess your covered then. My rigging is lightly used but NEW is always the way to go. You will have a good feeling next time your out knowing that rigging wont be a problem! Make sure your shroud anchors are tight before you set rig tension. They have a way of working loose. If they are loose put some blue Loktite on them. I saw a P18 a few weeks ago that had the shroud anchors held on by a few threads and was waiting to cause trouble.

(Shroud anchors= stainless rod under edge of hull that has shroud tang screwed into it)

Everyone,
Replacing standing rigging is like changing the oil in your car. If you go 4-5 years or more and don't replace, you are inviting trouble, and an expense far greater than the preventative maintenance cost of the rigging itself. Something can get let go at the worst time, like infront of rock jetty in a blow. At a minimum you will end up replacing the rigging, and additionally need sail repairs or replacement, mast replacement, hull damage and other collateral damage, including personal injury. I speak from experience, . . . long story for another day.

To conclude, and I have preached this redundantly, don't be a fool, replace the standing rigging on schedule, regardless of how perfect is LOOKS! Standing rigging includes bridals and diamonds.

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Philip
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Philip,
Good advice and I'm glad I'm replacing the rigging prior to a demasting incident on my Prindle. I ordered all the standing rigging from salty dog marine. Seems it has the plastic cover over the shrouds and forestay. I will probably sail in salt water once or twice a year, most of the time will be o the local lake. Should I worry about stripping off the plastic coating or just leave it on?
Steve

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To conclude, and I have preached this redundantly, don't be a fool, replace the standing rigging on schedule, regardless of how perfect is LOOKS! Standing rigging includes bridals and diamonds.

how often do you change yours?

My comfort level is every thirty-six months, sometimes my sailing schedule might move the change to earlier. For instance, Cuba Run has cancelled until November 2011, so this winter will replace and have it stretched and dialed in for then.



edited by: mummp, Jul 15, 2010 - 07:37 PM

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Philip
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good info, thanks Philip.

Another perspective? I've lived on the shores of Lake Champlain (6th great lake) for 35 years and we get every kind of weather system/wave pattern/storm size/idiot you can imagine. I've had 20 different boats at one time or another. I rescue someone once a month or so. I have problems too. Looking back (based on your story), I come up with one thought: crud happens. Less to us mind you- the folks with decent equipment, training, weather eye, but it does happen. It is and should be all fun and games until someone looses and eye. Really. Cause you never know no matter what you're doing, right? I've had a few things happen in my riskier sports (I don't consider Cat'ing risky) like loosing landing gear on a plane, heavy icing flying and a scuba near disaster or two. Sailing problems too, but those seem so much more relaxed (you're on semi solid ground!). Of all the lake rescues I performed, most were wingnuts (trapped in bad weather, too weak to lift the windsurf sail, outta gas). I guess I'm saying I feel safe and assured on the cat once I get over the "I may loose a mast and float for a while" syndrome (and I have that too). I bring a phone to shorten the wait tho.

Here's one less dramatic but scared the b'geebers out of me- once, in 20mph winds leaning way out, the traveller/block pin (screw in this case) blew out and I fell backwards into the water almost falling off, then having to get back to a safe harbor using the sunfish sheet system. Scary short-term but way cool story after.
Steve

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H18, H17, P19, Glastron GT-150 (Bond jump boat)
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