Should I take on the boat yard?

Aeolus

Aeolus

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My boat suffered some damage as the result of a boat yard accident. One of the items was the backstay which snapped (fortunately the mast didn't fall). The yard carried out the repairs (presumably on their insurance).

However, I have now realised that when they made up the new backstay, they made it too short. They have made up the difference by inserting 2 hefty shackles, one below and one above the backstay tension adjuster. And I've noticed that the amount of possible adjustment has reduced by a couple of inches. Overall, I reckon they made the backstay about 4 inches (10cm) too short.

Should I require that they remake and refit the backstay?

In favour:
1) The 2 shackles are additional components and the more components there are, the greater the risk of failure
2) The backstay adjuster is designed so you can see how much tension has been applied. With the shackles, the opening where you can see the screw now faces sideways, instead of into the boat, therefore less visible.

Against:
1) Hassle
2) If they refuse, do I really want to go to court over a couple of hundred pounds?

What would you do?
 
Consider fitting a couple of toggles to make up the extra length. Invite the boatyard to pay for this in the form of a discount this winter?
If everything else is ok, there's little mileage in pursuing a new backstay. Maybe you need more rake anyway?
You may end up worse off through having to use a dearer or less convenient yard. Better to be the sympathetic customer perhaps.
However if this was just one of a bunch of niggles, it would be different. Depends on your relationship with them.
 
It could just be the 'new' backstay is not new at all, just one that was laying around that nearly fits, with the bodge it does fit.

I'd be inclined to approach them, be nice, but just be firm and point out that whilst you are thankful that they have realised their responsibilities, what they have done is not a replacement for the original, you are not able to get the same use out of the replacement that you were getting from the original.

You could also point out that with the additional links there are more points of weakness, will they be responsible for any failure? Mutter things like, you might have to have a surveyor look at it, filing his report with your own insurer.

The cost to them will be small. But you should have it right.
 
It's a bit of a botch isn't?

It's not being fussy to ask for the job to be done properly. No need to fall out over it, but surely they can do a better job than that?
 
I do not think that shackles are acceptable in the backstay, but wonder if the problem can be solved with a longer rigging screw? I would certainly ask the yard to sort it out.
 
You write that the backstay snapped..takes a very big load to do that,unless it was cut by mistake ? I take it that you have checked the attachments at the boat and masthead...I would say that your surveyor is not really happy with two cobbled together shackles,especially as you may want to sell the boat,subject to survey,one day...and then say nothing,and wait for their proposal to put it right as was...that is fair,no?
 
You will always be unsure wether the 'new' backstay is up to the job, i personally would expect it to be repaired properly and not botched, and the shackle botch is not acceptable, get a proper rigger to check it out and price the job, and explain to the yard owner you expect him to foot the bill..

All hassle to yourself i know, but confidence in your own boats ability to be safe, and not have to foot the bill 5 years down the line when the mast falls down due to 'incompetant botch' years previous... and maybe no insurance claim due to unprofessional backstay botch...

Dont let them get away with damaging your boat and botching it up, as they will do it all the more with anyone elses boat they damage..

It might be acceptable in a little dinghy, but not worth the hassle in a yacht...
 
They have to replace it with the proper fittings. Your insurance will not cover you if the stay fails and your mast get damaged. Anyway; you are not asking for much, you want the original to be replaced, like for like.
 
Keep it friendly but dont roll over! If they dont like the idea of doing the job properly have a word with your insurers and see what they suggest - and take it from there.

I dont think the yard would like the adverse publicity with the insurance industry and they will see sense - if they dont make good please name and shame so we dont have to deal with bodgers.
 
Get a rigger to check the mast - to snap a backstay must have taken a hell of a load - I'd want to make sure the mast was not bent out of true and that there was no excessive load on chainplates / forestay fittings etc.
 
Don't take it to court, speak to them, if you can't get an agreement hand it to insurers - it will save lots of money and stress for both parties.
 
I think the boatyard have done you a favour! If the backstay snapped without damaging boat or mast because of an "incident" you must have been sailing with a pretty dodgy piece of wire.My experience when a yard smashed my mast was that it was down to my insurance to replace damage items and not the yards, check their small print, SBBNF terms and conditions used to state that virtually everything was down to your liability! I believe the yard have attempted to be "good guys" but unfortunately not good enough and if the the job has been done it has to be right. There should be a toggle between shroud plates and rigging but not shackles as the majority of shackles are no longer "tested" and can fail.
Either machine or mechanical swage fittings should connect to your backstay tensioner to maximise strength
 
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Is it worth the hassle of taking them to court?

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Probably not, as I agree with others that this is a bodge but best resolved by negotiation. However the Small Claims Court is very little hassle on line. I have won all 3 claims I have made
 
Thanks one and all for your views and advice.

I contacted the yard earlier today. They say that it was the rigger, a subcontractor, who measured wrongly and will get in touch to ask that he redoes the work.

So, even if the subcontractor refuses, the yard has effectively admitted that the work needs redoing.

Good outcome so far.

Thanks again.
 
Interesting that peeps think shackles are no good in the backstay. I agree and always think that new boats which come out of the factory look wrong with them attached to the transom even when they form part of the backstay tensioning system.
 
Breaking strain of 6mm S/S rigging wire, usually warranted 2000kg, so actual breaking strain probably in excess of 4000kg. Breaking strain of average sized shackle (8mm), around 400kg unproved.

Wouldn't want such a weak link in my rig.... specially the backstay.
 
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