Dismasted at sea in the Bahamas, now what

[SV_Lusca]

Hi guys, our mast came down yesterday, (Beneteau 36cc 1997) about 3nm off the shore of Mayaguana Island in the Bahamas.

We are now safely at anchor at Abrahams bay. Luckily no damage to the hull (but one of our cats wasn’t so lucky) he was sleeping in the cockpit and I guess jumped in panic and we never saw him again.

I was able to cut the lines and rigging to free the mast from the boat before it damaged the hull. Calm sea’s, 10 to 16 knots of wind. No idea what let go.

But for now the most important part, whats next. We are trying to decide if we should motor back to Florida or continue our way down to T&C or another country further south to try and get another mast.

Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated.

We are Canadians and left Lake Champlain last September for an undetermined amount of time. But now our trip will probably end sooner than anticipated.

Dave
SV Lusca

[team karst]

Ouch; You are about 500nm SE of Ft Lauderdale, my first pick for expensive part help.
I suppose it would be a fault with the upwind shroud that led to this??
I don't think I would entertain further motoring into the Carib. Long slog under power, $$, and import parts issues.

[SV_Lusca]

I had a new forestay with harken furler installed in Oriental NC. At the same time I had the rigger adjust everything. I have the impression that something let go at the top. The mast was broken in half but no idea of it was caused by the impact with the water.

[SV_Sweet_Ruca]

Originally Posted by SV_Lusca

I had a new forestay with harken furler installed in Oriental NC. At the same time I had the rigger adjust everything. I have the impression that something let go at the top. The mast was broken in half but no idea of it was caused by the impact with the water.

For sure best bet is to go back to Florida or anywhere else in the USA for repairs.

[Island Time O25]

Originally Posted by SV_Lusca

I had a new forestay with harken furler installed in Oriental NC. At the same time I had the rigger adjust everything. I have the impression that something let go at the top. The mast was broken in half but no idea of it was caused by the impact with the water.

You mentioned the insurance company declining to cover a 20 year old mast. But what about the new furler and forestay?

Also I would get at least a counsult or two from a reputable product liability attorney in NC. Seems like the new install and your demasting are suspiciously close in time. Could be defective Harken furler or forestay, could be incorrect install or what not.

[SV_Lusca]

I don’t want to blame the rigger, guess it would be hard to prove, but we will have more talks with the insurance.

[smj]

Originally Posted by Island Time O25

You mentioned the insurance company declining to cover a 20 year old mast. But what about the new furler and forestay?



Also I would get at least a counsult or two from a reputable product liability attorney in NC. Seems like the new install and your demasting are suspiciously close in time. Could be defective Harken furler or forestay, could be incorrect install or what not.

Considering the mast is at the bottom of the ocean how would he prove that?

[svfinlandia]

Originally Posted by SV_Lusca

I had a new forestay with harken furler installed in Oriental NC. At the same time I had the rigger adjust everything. I have the impression that something let go at the top. The mast was broken in half but no idea of it was caused by the impact with the water.

Sorry to hear of your difficulties very sorry to hear about your lost cat
May I ask who the rigger was in Oriental?
That is currently my home waters and it would be interesting to know.

Al, S/V Finlandia

[Juice13]

Originally Posted by svfinlandia

Sorry to hear of your difficulties very sorry to hear about your lost cat
May I ask who the rigger was in Oriental?
That is currently my home waters and it would be interesting to know.

Al, S/V Finlandia

As I have a full replacement rigging quote in my hand from one of the outfits in Oriental I am also interested in knowing who inspected theirs!

I found hints in their YouTube videos on where they were getting service while they were in town. At least for their engine troubles.

I know of at least four in town, have quotes from two.

[RedneckRedcoat]

Originally Posted by SV_Lusca

I had a new forestay with harken furler installed in Oriental NC. At the same time I had the rigger adjust everything. I have the impression that something let go at the top. The mast was broken in half but no idea of it was caused by the impact with the water.

We had ours done in oriental in October they also wanted us to install a new furler I’ll pm you

[Shrew]

Originally Posted by SV_Lusca

(but one of our cats wasn’t so lucky) he was sleeping in the cockpit and I guess jumped in panic and we never saw him again.

My sincerest condolences for your loss. Boats can be fixed.

[flightlead404]

Originally Posted by SV_Lusca

Luckily no damage to the hull (but one of our cats wasn’t so lucky) he was sleeping in the cockpit and I guess jumped in panic and we never saw him again.

Very sorry about your loss. We had one of our cats jump ship in Key West 1st week of January. It was a very sad departure when we finally had to leave last week without him.

[MicHughV]

Well, the logical choice would be to head back to Florida under power.
I'd base my route on fuel supply and where I could fill up.

Trying to get a new mast and rig out to your location would be a daunting and expensive task.

Getting the mast back on the boat would require a crane, or two buddy boats alongside.

I see little point in trying to head west. You will have the wind and waves against you the whole way. If you insist on this, I'd reckon Puerto Rico would be your best bet to have a mast replaced. Turks and Caico or DR might be a possibility, but my choice would be PR. Only problem is getting there, which is why Florida is the logical answer.

[MicHughV]

If you were able to salvage a boom, spinnaker pole, etc, you could probably concoct a jury rig to help your progress to Florida, but this would be a downwind rig at best.

[MicHughV]

meant to say heading "east" not "west"...my bad