[Rhodes22-list] Demasting

[Fred Kaiser]

I have pulled and re-bedded all ports on Fretless and was not able to
inspect the chain plates since there is only an inch or so clearance between
the outer shell and inner liner.  Perhaps a strong light and mirror would
help locate the chain plates but not sure you would be able to determine
their condition.

Fred Kaiser
Fretless
Rock Hall MD.

On Sun, Aug 15, 2010 at 6:57 PM, David Culp <dculp at hsbtx.com> wrote:

> Bill:
>
> Very sorry to hear of the incident but very glad to hear that no one was
> injured.  I have forgotten what year model you have and how it is setup.
>  If
> the forestay mast pin had dislodged and the forestay failed with the kind
> of
> wind force you described, I can see that a weakened chain plate could
> possibly fail also when it takes on that huge transient load.  I would have
> thought that the other stays would have at least kept the mast intact.  I
> don't know of any way to inspect the chain plates on the Rhodes without
> pulling the windows out and then I am not sure what you can see.  Next trip
> to the boat, I am going to pull the fore-peak anchor line box and have a
> look at my forestay chain-plate anyway.  It may be different then yours
> because it doesn't come through a "hole in the deck" that you describe.  It
> is mounted as a tab externally.  I have the forestay pin wrapped in sailing
> tape so that the cotter can't be removed/dislodged because I have seen that
> happen before and then the force on the pin is the only thing keeping it
> in.
>
> In aircraft, we have inspection covers in strategic locations to check
> important components.  This incident makes me wonder whether or not older
> boats (of any make) should have the chain-plates looked at.  I had been
> holding off doing so because I don't want to pull out a perfectly good
> window that isn't leaking just to check.  Maybe some inspection plates can
> be cut in the liner to do the same thing and then be trimmed off to look
> nice.  Or maybe we are just asking too much of the cabin top stays in this
> situation.  Hard to know.  Anyway, pictures would be very much appreciated
> as would Stan's take on this incident.
>
> Sincerely,
> David Culp
>
>
>
>
> Date: Sat, 14 Aug 2010 17:19:16 -0400
> From: bdunn1 at aol.com
> Subject: [Rhodes22-list] Demasting
> To: rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org
> Message-ID: <8CD0A0D7C04E52A-1294-8E0B at webmail-m086.sysops.aol.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
>
> This is to Stan although other may chime in.  Great sailing today; boat
> going 5.0 knots; everyone (wife and daughter) comfortably chatting when the
> jib let loose with a "gun-shot bang", went flying over the starboard side
> and took and mast with it.  Fortunately, we were on the port side so no one
> was hit with stays, etc.   One stay was ripped out of the cabin top but all
> others held.    Everything in the water.  Tied it up like an old whale and
> motored back to the house dragging the largest sea anchor made.  Took
> everything apart and discovered the bolt holding the jib was slightly bent
> but not broken - mysterious.  ( I will send Stan some pictures).  The hole
> in the deck was not ripped and I couldn't see under it due to the anchor
> line box.
>
>
> I am not certain about the future except it would be good if you have a
> boat
> delivery nearby, or even it you don't, that it could be picked up and taken
> back to your shop?  We are on Lake George, NY.  I sold my trailer since we
> are on the lake. After you receive the boat we can discuss what is to be
> done.
>
>
> regards,
> Bill Dunn
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