A great sailing day cut short by gunshots???

SiXeVeN · #1 (**permalink**) 03-18-2008

So the wind was really cooking fast this afternoon. I took off early from work and took out the ol' boat.

The wind was quick. Probably 20 knot average with gusts into the 30s

I had the main fully reefed and the jib fully furled. Running essentially main only. Still was heeling at 30+ degrees in close haul and gusts sending me over further. Unstowed gear was flying all over the place in the cabin.

I was having a GREAT time!!! I was surging forward in a big gust when...

Suddenly a loud gunshot!!!???

What was that?

Then BANG... another

That time I could locate the sound. My mainsail's sliding hanks were failing!!!

The sail was quickly parting ways with the mast

I quickly luffed up into the wind and stalled the sail. I released the halyard and gathered up the main. My sailing day was over

Post sailing autopsy revealed 2 broken sliders with a 3rd ready to go. Stupid nylon hanks were clearly not strong enough but I guess I would rather have that fail then have the mainsail begin to tear.

Anyway, thats a new failure for me... Never had THAT happen before.

sailingdog · #2 (**permalink**) 03-18-2008

Sixeven-

It's not that they hanks weren't strong enough...but that too much UV exposure had damaged the nylon more likely. It's pretty common to see that with nylon or plastic sail slugs. Replace them all.

sailaway21 · #3 (**permalink**) 03-18-2008

I opened this thread thinking it was about sailing in Detroit. I thought it was kind of early for that. (g)

SiXeVeN · #4 (**permalink**) 03-18-2008

SD,

That's what I figured was the culprit. The UV this far south just disintegrates EVERYTHING. It is a constant battle of part replacement.

Honestly, by the time I finish waxing the boat the place where I began is already oxidized.

Despite the UV damage though, those nylon slugs snapped with a BANG!!!!

It sounded like I was being shot at

teshannon · #5 (**permalink**) 03-18-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by sailaway21

I opened this thread thinking it was about sailing in Detroit. I thought it was kind of early for that. (g)

No, that would be sailing in Philly, anytime, day or night.

mwrohde · #6 (**permalink**) 03-18-2008

Same thing happened to me, except it was a machine gun - they all went in rapid succession. For me, I had my daughter out for a couple of hours (she's my only family member who will do wood working or sailing with me - God bless the girl), then we went to pick up my wife and son. The sail hadn't been raised 15 minutes after my wife got on when they all broke.

Replaced them all and bought a few extras.

CharlieCobra · #7 (**permalink**) 03-19-2008

I'm glad mine are bronze.

deepblueme · #8 (**permalink**) 03-19-2008

That happened to me too.
Crossing from Miami to Bimini, half way there, middle of the night blowing snot, double reef. Half the slugs let go and the head of the sail tore off the haylard and came down on top of me with no warning.
It was a long rolly ride to Bimini that night smelling deisel fumes the rest of the way.

We went cuz the owner didn't want to refund the trip money the seasick pax were not to happy.

hellosailor · #9 (**permalink**) 03-19-2008

Nylon also degrades from exposure to petroleum products, be careful what you lube the slides and track with. Add a good dose of UV to that...And you might want to have the loft replace ALL the slides, not just the ones that failed this time.

Stillraining · #10 (**permalink**) 03-19-2008

all you have to worry about is your whole track ripping off the mast...

Quote:

Originally Posted by CharlieCobra

I'm glad mine are bronze.