GUNBOAT Dismasting

[44'cruisingcat]

Originally Posted by RTB

Sorry guys. I guess I just don't quite get that a 70 knot wind breaks a carbon fiber mast with the third reef in, and a little storm jib. From the info I've read, the rigging was ok, but the mast broke. How does that happen? Ralph

Clearly, it shouldn't happen. But stuff does happen that isn't supposed to.

[cwjohm]

Based on the other thread sounds like the pricing of this boat is a bit screwy. Maybe the carbon mast was a cheaper option than an aluminium mast.

[neilpride]

Originally Posted by cwjohm

Based on the other thread sounds like the pricing of this boat is a bit screwy. Maybe the carbon mast was a cheaper option than an aluminium mast.

Yeah sure, step a aluminium stick in a full carbón multi is like to install in a Ferrari a full set of Renault wheels

[Jon Eisberg]

Part 2 of the interview with skipper Chris Bailet is up...

It's a pretty compelling read:

the loss of the rainmaker, part 2 | Sailing Anarchy

[Polux]

Originally Posted by Jon Eisberg

Part 2 of the interview with skipper Chris Bailet is up...

It's a pretty compelling read:

the loss of the rainmaker, part 2 | Sailing Anarchy

Yes, but little information about how the mast broke and the conditions that lead to it.

[RTB]

Yep, just read it. Still plenty of questions about how exactly the rig came down. No mention that the mast actually broke... Maybe you have a clearer picture?

No doubt, a pretty hairy place to be after they lost the rig. And I imagine seeing that huge prop of the Ocean Crescent spinning a few feet away would be a bit sobering. The owner must still be in shock.

Ralph

[Sand crab]

Originally Posted by RTB

Yep, just read it. Still plenty of questions about how exactly the rig came down. No mention that the mast actually broke

That's what I got too. Maybe it didn't break.

"The mast hits the deck at the midship cleat, throwing the butt end of the mast off the step and into the air, though it is still held down by running rigging, wiring and hydraulics leading through the organizer."

[44'cruisingcat]

Originally Posted by RTB

Yep, just read it. Still plenty of questions about how exactly the rig came down.

Ralph

Maybe they simply don't know why the mast came down? Maybe they need to recover the boat to find out?

I find it remarkable, this assumption that people are lying. (not just you Ralph, there are many others.)

On what basis do you all make that assumption? Your own honesty?

[Jon Eisberg]

Originally Posted by Sand crab

That's what I got too. Maybe it didn't break.

"The mast hits the deck at the midship cleat, throwing the butt end of the mast off the step and into the air, though it is still held down by running rigging, wiring and hydraulics leading through the organizer."

Well, we already have heard from Johnstone that all the shroud attachments at the deck level were intact after the rig came down...

So, I can't imagine how a mast like that jumps off the mast step without first breaking, and allowing the standing rigging to go slack...

Moreover, I don't know how "the mast hits the deck at the midship cleat", with the while the base of the mast is still in the step. I've heard of "Wet Noodle Rigs" before, but that's taking it to a whole new level :-) Seems to me he's referring to the broken upper portion of the rig that comes crashing down, no?

[RTB]

Sorry, you assume I think someone is lying. I don't. I'm just trying to make sense of information that has been posted. I'll never be buying a Gunboat because I could never afford one. I think it's an awesome boat, but just trying to understand what went wrong exactly, and maybe learn something here.

So, if the mast did not break, how could it possibly come down when, according to Peter Johnstone...."5) According to the Captain, rigging and attachment points were all intact after the incident."

See where I'm coming from?????


Re-reading the interview, maybe CB WAS saying the mast broke ( the crack, followed by a louder crack)?


CB: The boat lurches and I hit the plinth station just as we all hear a crack, followed by a louder crack. The mast hits the deck at the midship cleat, throwing the butt end of the mast off the step and into the air, though it is still held down by running rigging, wiring and hydraulics leading through the organizer.


Ralph

[jaybird1111]

Originally Posted by Jon Eisberg

So, I can't imagine how a mast like that jumps off the mast step without first breaking, and allowing the standing rigging to go slack...

just curious, Eisberg... do you have any experience with multihulls, at all?


incidentally, RTB et al: Part 2 is published on SA front page

[RTB]

Originally Posted by jaybird1111

just curious, Eisberg... do you have any experience with multihulls, at all?


incidentally, RTB et al: Part 2 is published on SA front page

What do you think we've been discussing here today?

Ralph

[jaybird1111]

Originally Posted by RTB

What do you think we've been discussing here today?

Ralph

I'm fairly certain that Part 2 describes TWO bangs as the mast came down, which to me indicates the mast itself had broken, which if the mast broke, also explains how the base jumped off the deck.

At least that's what I've observed when I've seen (carbon) beachcat masts fail.

[Group9]

Originally Posted by 44'cruisingcat

Clearly, it shouldn't happen. But stuff does happen that isn't supposed to.

Exactly. You wouldn't expect a modern airliner to drop out of the sky just because it ran into some birds, and have to glide to a landing in the Hudson River, but one did.

Everybody always wants an answer. The answer is, nothing man makes is unbreakable.

[Sand crab]

Jon and Jay, your are probably correct about the mast breaking first.