Warning use of SS Hanks

[chouliha]

A Russian boat here in the anchorage replaced his head stay in Panama before departing for Ecuador. He used US supplied 316 wire obtained from a rigging supply house in Florida. In addition he replaced a number of hanks on his headsail using SS hanks.

After two weeks at sea going uphill he arrived to find his head stay worn more than 50% thru where the SS hank was located. Yikes 50% wear in 2 weeks!!!

We have only used bronze hanks before we installed a roller furler and would find wear on the hanks but never an issue with the head stay. It was never a problem to replace the hanks after 3-4 years if they showed excessive wear. But always using bronze hanks

Just a word of caution. I did speak to a rigger in SD and he said he noticed this happen to another boat.

Safe sailing

Chuck
Jacaranda Caraquez, Ecuador SVJacaranda