Bent and stuck antenna, how did that happen?

[vk4hr]

birds.

[Mike Burch]

Yes, the pins are too long, but that is really not a serious problem.

I'd be more concerned about the D-shackle that appears to be holding the forestay just above the roller top bearing. The photo (in the original post) is not especially clear, but

1) the pin does not appear be moused (i.e., secured with a monel wire against unscrewing itself), and

2) with the over-long pins in the backstay triangle, the swaged eye and the two lugs on the triangle are reasonably close together, so the extra length of the pin is not stressed and comes to no harm. But with a shackle, the swaged eye can be some distance from the arms of the shackle, and this means there is a strong bending moment on the pin. Shackles are really not intended for use as part of standing rigging.

The presence of the shackle(s?—on closer inspection, it looks like there could be three of them in series!) and the use of over-long pins (not to mention the curious bit of insulation tape decorating the triangle) makes me nervous about the rest of the rig. Were I in your shoes, I'd get a trustworthy professional to inspect it all very thoroughly.

[MicHughV]

A strong wind during a thunderstorm could have whipped it back is my 2c...

[bccoast]

Originally Posted by Mike Burch

Yes, the pins are too long, but that is really not a serious problem.

I'd be more concerned about the D-shackle that appears to be holding the forestay just above the roller top bearing. The photo (in the original post) is not especially clear, but

1) the pin does not appear be moused (i.e., secured with a monel wire against unscrewing itself), and

2) with the over-long pins in the backstay triangle, the swaged eye and the two lugs on the triangle are reasonably close together, so the extra length of the pin is not stressed and comes to no harm. But with a shackle, the swaged eye can be some distance from the arms of the shackle, and this means there is a strong bending moment on the pin. Shackles are really not intended for use as part of standing rigging.

The presence of that shackle and the use of over-long pins (not to mention the curious bit of insulation tape decorating the triangle) makes me nervous about the rest of the rig. Were I in your shoes, I'd get a trustworthy professional to inspect it all very thoroughly.

Hi Mike,

Thanks for reviewing and giving your feedback. This is my first sailboat and first season with it so I really have nothing to compare anything too. steep learning curve that I am getting close to the top of before realizing there is always another one waiting. lol.

That shackle is not on the forestay, that is for my Genakker which is on a top down karver fuller. The forestay with my Jib is a little further down which you can see in the first picture too.

I did get the rigging checked in the spring and tensioned by a reputable company but I think I will get someone to come by and give the whole boat a once over this fall and make sure I am taking care of all the maintenance needed and learning what I need to look for.