When we left the Snow Goose in June I had noticed that one of the stainless steel wires that hold up the mast had an issue. The end fitting, by the deck, that attaches the wire to the turnbuckle was cracking apart from age, rust, or maybe water/ice buildup in the winter. Either way, it had to be replaced before we could do any sailing or the top of the mast might just snap off! As you can see, there is a rust/crack line running up the side of the fitting. Anna helped me hold the wire down while I cut it in half with a hacksaw. when it came apart you could clearly see that the fitting had actually been cracked on both sides and I’m sure that it would have pulled out during the first strong windy day that we ran into. Walden’s had the proper sized replacement fitting for our size wire and clevis pin hole. Whereas the original fitting had been placed on the wire with a hydraulic press that squishes the metal of the fitting around the wire the replacement, a Stalok fitting, is a mechanical device that has to be assembled on the spot. Next, how to install a Stalok fitting. (4 pictures “a”)
Now that could have been a bit scary! Good call.
ReplyDeleteAnd where are you heading?
We are heading up to washington DC for a couple of weeks and then south to Fla and maybe the Bahamas
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