I just got word that my 56 cruising cat Sarabi broke her Forespar Aerorig. They are safe at Richmond, CA. I should find out a lot more soon. I would have expected a carbon unstayes mast failure as close to impossible.
I have not heard back again yet so still only guessing but I can only think of a couple of possible scenarios.
One is the roller furling system. I recall they often had trouble with it. What if it bound up in a gust and the sheet was not blown in time?
Many years ago I was an expert witness in a case against Forespar for a really unnecessary mast failure. In deposition they declared that they never follow the design documents; they do it their own way. What if they freestyled this one too?
Still no news on this? I am contemplating a ballestron rig and trying to learn all about them
No news. I very much wanted to inspect.
Thanks
Are there any updates on Sarabi’s dismasting regarding cause? Can an Aerorig tolerate any amount of shifting while in the bearings? I watched a rig move ever so slightly in both the upper ring and the lower ball maybe a couple of mm. Is that excessive? Any general comments on the rig itself?
I’ve heard nothing new. a couple of mm doesn’t sound bad. depends on what moves I guess.
I will make some calls and see if I can learn anything.
Thanks you. Will look forward to any further comments.
Joe
I recall seeing end on photos of some of the Freedom spars that failed quite a few years ago. There were really obvious circumferntial delamination cracks right in the middle of the laminate. Sarabi’s mast may have been whipping a bit, not being under load, and the partners are the obvious place, of course. Pure conjecture.
I agree with Jon Reed. Sarabi is one of the prettiest cats out there. The hull lines really are a knockout especially the ster sections. Artwork.
It’s a pity that ballestron owners never seem to give any candid reviews of the rig’s effectiveness in blue water and heavy weather. Perhaps Alex will give a review when Salty Cat gets mobile.
One of the most elegant cats out there. I love the Corvette/ Dino Ferrari fins at the cockpit.
Does carbon/epoxy get brittle over time? Heat distortion over time? Wonder what caused it.
Might be worth investigating the failure history of Forespar-built stayed carbon masts. I seem to recall at least one such case from about a decade ago that was attributed to manufacturing technique.
Good looking boat. She’ll be even nicer when equipped with a 3/1 section wing mast rig!