Bent and stuck antenna, how did that happen?

[bccoast]

Noticed this summer my antenna was sticking out the back of the mast, sent the drone up to have a look and it has bent and gotten stuck under the wind indicator. How would that have happened? had a few 34+ knot wind day of sailing this summer and some steep wind over tide waves we had to beat through a couple days. Couldn't find anything on google with this happening or in the forum here. Going to head up there later today to inspect, anyone experienced something like this before?

[dfelsent]

That is absolutely hysterical. All I can think of is a demented bird.

[Greatest Lakes]

Birdstrikes happen.

[capt jgw]

Being the indicator looks intact, I'd say it had to be a bird. Good news is you can straighten it out and it will be fine.

[DougR]

If it were me I might send the drone up again to look at that backstay toggle and swedge fitting. The photo makes it look a little suspect.

[sanibel sailor]

A bird texting while flying

[JPA Cate]

Most likely it was a bird, they'll come and sit on them, that it bends down under their weight is like a flimsy branch to them: if their feet can grab it, they'll do it. And if you've ever had an osprey or a larger sea eagle do it, it is really a nuisance to clean up after.

Agree about the backstay attachment: at least on my image, it looks to me as if metal is missing. Time to go up and have a look-see.

Ann

[Knotical]

Seabirds have a singular purpose in life - to destroy our boats 😉

Joking aside, how’s the VHF transmission with the antenna bent like that?

Agree with others that the backstay looks suspect, I would send the drone up first and secure the mast before you decide to climb up.

[bccoast]

I didnt see these messages before climbing up, the antenna is very flexible and wasnt permanently bent, just slid it out and it popped back normal. I didnt notice the backstay but the spinnaker halyard has me in front of the mast so didnt get a good look at it. here is another angle of it from the other day when the drone went up, not sure what I should be seeing? the pin in port side is in but I do see that it is sticking out a bit?

[Jim Cate]

Could be the camera, but it looks like the swage and the wire are a bit rusty looking. Could be ok, but worth a good inspection.

Jim

[Uncle Bob]

Originally Posted by bccoast

I didnt see these messages before climbing up, the antenna is very flexible and wasnt permanently bent, just slid it out and it popped back normal. I didnt notice the backstay but the spinnaker halyard has me in front of the mast so didnt get a good look at it. here is another angle of it from the other day when the drone went up, not sure what I should be seeing? the pin in port side is in but I do see that it is sticking out a bit?

Looks to me a bit like a piece of the swage fitting is missing. You can see the pin all the way through and this shouldn"t be, you should be able to see each end of it and the fitting which it passes through.

[Manateeman]

Well one pin is way too long. It looks like a triangle plate but one hole looks empty. Then there is all that tape.
Who did this job?
No way we would go up that mast. You need a lift and support aft.
The manatee crew.

[bccoast]

Originally Posted by Manateeman

Well one pin is way too long. It looks like a triangle plate but one hole looks empty. Then there is all that tape.
Who did this job?
No way we would go up that mast. You need a lift and support aft.
The manatee crew.

we bought the boat in December, is a 2013 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey that had 50 hours on the engine, essentially a new boat. I am assuming that the rigging would have been done by the dealer that commissioned it down in the states where we bought it. In March, we had the local official Beneteau service provider fix a few things on the boat including check the rigging. they said that everything was good and just needed to make some small tension adjustments, not sure if they went up the mast though.

I am not totally sure if I am seeing what you are, will send the drone back up today to take a closer look. so basically just want to make sure that the triangle has both bolts in for the back stay and cotter pins secured? Will try and get as detailed as possible photos and post back up here.

[Manateeman]

The pin is way too long. It will work but that would be a pink flag somebody doesn’t have the correct length pin or doesn’t care how their work looks.
We use a triangle plate for two full back stays. Top of the triangle to the spar.
If you loose one back stay, the rig might stay up. We keep the topping lift connected to the spar not connected in any way to the standing rigging. Just the way we do it...always figuring the loss of one wire should not risk the whole rig.
If you could, can you photo all the connections?
Thanks,
The manatee crew.

[AKA-None]

Originally Posted by Uncle Bob

Looks to me a bit like a piece of the swage fitting is missing. You can see the pin all the way through and this shouldn"t be, you should be able to see each end of it and the fitting which it passes through.

I think it’s just rusty everywhere except that little bit

I’d say from these pix you will need to consider that the standing rigging looks like it should be replaced

At least based on the pix shared