Anyone contemplating purchasing a sailboat should be concerned about metal fatigue in the mast(s) and fittings. Many of our masts are the originals. Mine dates to 1981 which is 20 years older than the Bavaria 42 CC that was dismasted in a steady breeze and calm seas. (See article in GOB Jan/Feb 2021) The cause was a failed rod below decks that was out of sight that supported the shrouds. It punched a hole through the deck, increasing the repair bill.
If my mast were to go, I would bear away to allow it to fall free of the deck to reduce damage and injury. The chances are that the failure of a Nonsuch mast will occur in the first ten feet above the deck and most likely at the stainless steel collar. We do not have to worry about a tangle of shrouds and sails that must be cut away to free the mast from damaging the hull, but we should have something to cut the halliard and wishbone hangers, if necessary. A Nonsuch skipper should be able to salvage the sail, mast and wishbone as the mast is free of shrouds and cross trees that are likely to cause damage. The Bavaria skipper chose to let everything go and sink. This seems excessive and not necessary for a Nonsuch skipper who is prepared for such an eventuality.
It is best to decide well ahead of time what to do in various sea conditions. Is it practical to remove the sail, disconnect the wishbone and stow them on board?. If it is beyond the capabilities of the crew to bring the mast on board, can it be towed safely or securely lashed to the rail with fenders in place to reduce damage?
A well thought out plan of action will save costs and get you back on the water sooner while winning brownie points with the insurer. Owning a Nonsuch is a step in the right direction since there are fewer things to inspect, replace, age and fail. As an ageing Nonsuch 26 owner I have fewer things to worry about. One may pay more for a Nonsuch, but lower maintenance cost will reward the owner and increase the likelihood that one can sail for longer into the twilight zone without bankrupting the grandchildren..
Cheers,
John Newell
Mascouche 26C 1
In LOCKDOWN in Toronto
John is correct. Having been rammed and dismasted by a 63 ft Searay when I had a Cape Dory 30, I have some experience. One other thing to mention is to not put the engine in gear until you’re sure the prop is clear of all debris.
Joe Valinoti
S/V iL Gatto NS30U #221
Sea Harbour YC
Oriental, NC USA
Absolutely Yes! Our masts come in two sections unless you are lucky enough to have a carbon fibre one which might be able to be repaired. Our aluminium ones come in two sections, so one might have to replace one half. However, I believe Klacko (?) did fabricate a sleeve for one Nonsuch owner to repair the section that was broken. To preserve the mast as much as possible, try to let it drop into clear water away from solid objects and heed Joe’s warning “NOT TO PUT THE ENGINE IN GEAR UNTIL YOU ARE SURE THAT ALL DEBRIS HAS BEEN CLEARED”.
I have been dismasted once in a Folksboat with a deck mounted wooden mast. Even with her simple rig, the deck was a tangle of rigging and sails. It took some time to bring order on deck, but we managed to salvage everything and managed to stow the mast on deck. The engine was not working so I rigged the boom as a mast to set the staysail which was sufficient to take us back to Port Hope where we re-stepped the mast ready to sail to Oshawa the next day. True to form, the following day provided fog with a head wind. We had to navigate by dead reckoning since it was long before such things as GPS. I was taking the Folksboat from Coburg to Oshawa for a Woolworth’s manager who had been transferred to Oshawa. The day we were dismasted had been a fine sunny sailing day with wind from the north. We would have made the passage in good time, if only a stay had not parted.
John Newell
Mascouche 26C 1
Locked down in Toronto where even single handed sailing is prohibited
This leads me to wonder about what data we have on the issue.
As near as I can tell, there are a few reports of mast failures, but I haven’t been able to find any records providing a count, much less a breakdown on causes.
Is anyone aware of a count? Ideally, it would record aluminum vs. carbon failure masts and be further broken down as attributable to fatigue vs. corrosion vs. exposure to excessive conditions (outside of coastal cruising) vs. lightning strike vs. collision.
Well, NS26 046 lost its’ mast on the way down-wind to Wolfe Island from Kingston, ON.
It was, from what I understand, one of the first failures. New bowsprit, two forward stanchions on starboard side. New mast lower section (not sure about the upper section)
It was related to me by an old club member, who had been living in (IIRC) Bermuda for 35 or so years and made it back to the club and walked up to me as I was working on the boat.
I do hope to get the log books from the remaining first owner (she’s a widower) but with COVID, going and visiting is just not possible. I hope I can in a few weeks.