Limping home

[zoidberg]

Now that Pip Hare has limped into Melbourne 'under her own steam' with a jury rig of sorts lashed up from a carbon outrigger pole, various ropey bits and a chunk of headsail, we can heave a sigh of relief and start our nit-picking.... if that's our thing.

Better by far, I reckon, to have a quiet think ( for it's a good time of year to do that ) about how we might go about rigging a jury mast/spar and hanging a sail on it to bring us back to havn in more-or-less one piece.

What would we need? What would we have? What's the difference between them - and what could we (I) do about that while we have some spare time...?

Just a bit of painless 'what-iffing'....

 

[Stemar]

Since we rarely go beyond motoring range of a safe haven, my what-if plan is a big pair of bolt cutters (I'd cut the bottle screws or the threaded rod rather than the wire) and a gentle chug home.

 

[capnsensible]

Now that Pip Hare has limped into Melbourne 'under her own steam' with a jury rig of sorts lashed up from a carbon outrigger pole, various ropey bits and a chunk of headsail, we can heave a sigh of relief and start our nit-picking.... if that's our thing.

Better by far, I reckon, to have a quiet think ( for it's a good time of year to do that ) about how we might go about rigging a jury mast/spar and hanging a sail on it to bring us back to havn in more-or-less one piece.

What would we need? What would we have? What's the difference between them - and what could we (I) do about that while we have some spare time...?

Just a bit of painless 'what-iffing'....

I can say for sure it certainly entertains one's Brian in the middle watches on dark and stormy nights mid ocean.

 

[zoidberg]

I can say for sure it certainly entertains one's Brian in the middle watches on dark and stormy nights mid ocean.

Just a bit 'Justin Thyme'....
Seems to me that would prevent the 'Precis Prior Planning' preventing piss-poor performance that the Pongos amongst us are so keen on.

 

[capnsensible]

Just a bit 'Justin Thyme'....
Seems to me that would prevent the 'Precis Prior Planning' preventing piss-poor performance that the Pongos amongst us are so keen on.

Seems to me for us sailors, pre planning for 100 things means you may well discover thing 101. Or 102.....

 

[laika]

Well we could start by watching Pip Hare explain how she rigged hers

 

[Frank Holden]

When I last lost a mast I set up my two spinnaker poles as an A- frame and other than that it was the same as Pips. Set a storm jib on it but didn't work to well as we were trying to sail on a beam reach. Put a FI sticker on it , hailed a passing tanker, took on 300 litres of ( very dirty) diesel and motored for 700 miles.
This was 30+ years ago, another thing we did was sling a ' long wire ' over the A frame and - from 700 miles off the WA coast able to work a ham in Fremantle and another one in Phuket. Another lifesaver - literally - was an emergency VHF antenna.
Be aware , be very aware , that when your mast falls down you also lose all the fancy bits of kit you have hanging of your mast.

Yes I have two spinnaker poles, I don't have a spinnaker but I do have two spinnaker poles.

 

[Wansworth]

Mast tabernacles…….could be a savior if they don’t rip the deck off

 

[Minerva]

When I see kite surfers, I can’t help but think their kites could be the basis of good “get you home device” if you lose your mast offshore.

Powerful enough to get an average sized boat moving at a few knots, Independent of the mast and having any spars remaining. Fairly compact to stow under a bunk in its own bag...

Obviously the launch / retrieval process needs some designing out to avoid tangles….

 

[Stemar]

Just a bit 'Justin Thyme'....
Seems to me that would prevent the 'Precis Prior Planning' preventing piss-poor performance that the Pongos amongst us are so keen on.

"No plan survives first contact with the enemy"

 

[zoidberg]

"No plan survives first contact with the enemy"

'Who cares who wins?'

 

[Stemar]

If it's the sea v me, I care - quite a lot.

Actually, while I've definitely got a little list (and they'll none of them be missed) of candidates for walking the plank, I'd prefer no one else to lose that battle

 

[fredrussell]

Well we could start by watching Pip Hare explain how she rigged hers

I find it hard to take seriously any advice from a sailor that hasn’t provisioned enough tea bags. Shocking!
Seriously though, is Pip Hare married? What an amazing woman.

 

[RunAgroundHard]

When I last lost a mast I set up my two spinnaker poles as an A- frame and other than that it was the same as Pips. Set a storm jib on it but didn't work to well as we were trying to sail on a beam reach. Put a FI sticker on it , hailed a passing tanker, took on 300 litres of ( very dirty) diesel and motored for 700 miles.
This was 30+ years ago, another thing we did was sling a ' long wire ' over the A frame and - from 700 miles off the WA coast able to work a ham in Fremantle and another one in Phuket. Another lifesaver - literally - was an emergency VHF antenna.
Be aware , be very aware , that when your mast falls down you also lose all the fancy bits of kit you have hanging of your mast.

Yes I have two spinnaker poles, I don't have a spinnaker but I do have two spinnaker poles.

We’re your spinnaker stored vertically on the mast, say with twin tracks? The reason I ask is that mine are, also deck stepped mast. I reckon if my mast broke there is a reasonable chance that my spinnaker poles could be damaged as well.

Currently not an issue for the type of sailing I do but would fit deck chocks to store the poles if going further afield.

Curious how yours were set up.

 

[John_Silver]

When I see kite surfers, I can’t help but think their kites could be the basis of good “get you home device” if you lose your mast offshore.

Powerful enough to get an average sized boat moving at a few knots, Independent of the mast and having any spars remaining. Fairly compact to stow under a bunk in its own bag...

Obviously the launch / retrieval process needs some designing out to avoid tangles….

'Great minds......'
Yves Parlier came up with a get-you-home version of his LibertyKite
After his famous Vendee Globe 2000 dismasting, construction of a jury rig off Stewart Island NZ, and eventual completion of the race. Living off seaweed, scavanged during the repairs. Story here:

 

[mjcoon]

If it's the sea v me, I care - quite a lot.

Actually, while I've definitely got a little list (and they'll none of them be missed) of candidates for walking the plank, I'd prefer no one else to lose that battle

Tick for G&S reference!

 

[Frank Holden]

We’re your spinnaker stored vertically on the mast, say with twin tracks? The reason I ask is that mine are, also deck stepped mast. I reckon if my mast broke there is a reasonable chance that my spinnaker poles could be damaged as well.

Currently not an issue for the type of sailing I do but would fit deck chocks to store the poles if going further afield.

Curious how yours were set up.

No, stowed P & S on the side decks.