Urgent Help required -- Cap Verde repairs

jimi

jimi

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Message from Stingo
I am 200 miles NW of Cap Verde and the chainplate on my forestay has sheared. Haven't managed to get the genoa down all the way because the track is bent about halfway up. I've secured two halyards to the bow roller and put the emergency stay in place to stop the mast flopping about and am now motoring to Cap Verde. So much for my Atlantic crossing!

My pilot isn't encouraging about boat repair facilities in Cap Verde, but then again, my pilot is 10 years old. Please could you ask the forum if anyone has had recent experience there.

Please respond to this thread or PM me so I can put together a brief response as John's onboard Email link is VERY slow.


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Jimi, have sent an email to Philippe Briand asking for advice on repair that could be effected by a 'local' engineer.

<hr width=100% size=1>my opinion is complete rubbish, probably.
 
Sounds like getting the parts there will be harder than doing the repairs themselves. Replacing a forestay/bow fitting is usually just nuts and bolts and sealant, and a headsail foils are usually sections that are easily joined. A new forestay might be a good idea too.

Perhaps the most useful help we can give is to get the parts sourced and get them on their way to Cap Verde Islands. What do others think?

DHL have an office there and do deliveries...

Praia

DHL Int'l Cape Verde
Avenida Oua-Frente Assembleia
Nacional,Oeste CP 203/A- Achada
Santo Antonio Cabo Verde
Praia

<hr width=100% size=1>One day, I want to be a real sailor. In the mean time I'll just keep tri-ing.
 
Not been caught out in Cape Verdes but this is a common dilemma for the blue water cruiser visiting backwaters.

There will definitely be people who can help in Mindelo, but he must be careful who he asks, and not accept help too quickly. Other yachtsmen already there will be the best source of information, and there may be skills among them too, there is a lot of self-help among blue-water cruisers in such places.

The choice is likely to be between having the right replacement parts shipped out, or "mend and make do". The first may be prefered, but sometimes leads to substantial delays and expensive entanglements with customs. The alternative probably would be very much quicker: to have a mild-steel chainplate welded up and bolted on, and if the roller furling can't be fixed then adapting the genoa to be hanked onto the forestay with shackles. If the forestay itself has to be replaced, he may have to accept galvanised. Hopefully this will be adequate until he reaches the USA or at least one of the better yacht yards in the Caribbean.

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Re: Have sent you a PM

Where's TCM when you need him, he could have dropped off a couple of bits on Stingo on his way back to the Med!

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I've had a scrat around the internet and it seems that there is a fair amount of chartering out of Mindelo, Sao Vicente and there is an airport which operates to Europe so it might not be too bad
A french website suggests Mindelo too but that repairs are a bit slow but that gear can be sent out from the Canaries if needed.

<hr width=100% size=1><P ID="edit"><FONT SIZE=-1>Edited by Neraida on 13/07/2004 14:44 (server time).</FONT></P>
 
Re: Compass Deviation?

When I saw this post headlined on the index I thought the rudder repair must have caused some serious deviation to the steering compass!

I hope Stingo can complete his trip safely and get this sorted quickly. I remember talking to a RTW couple a few years back who had experienced a similar problem at the other end of their boat, whilst in the Pacific. Getting a backstay chainplate fabricated locally was not a problem once some suitable stainless had been flown out.



<hr width=100% size=1>Semper Bufo
 
Latest from Stingo

I can't tell you how much I appreciate forumites help. Thank you all. Once I am securely anchored and have been able to make a proper assessment of all the damage I will email you again.

Yesterday I thought I had secured the furling gear pretty well but it came loose during the night and has bashed a hole in my deck and on initial inspection, it looks as though the furling gear has also been bashed beyond repair. I still haven't been able to get the genoa down (it's almost completely shredded now) because I am not prepared to go up the mast (which is all it would take). I can't work out why, but the windex and masthead tri-colour are flopping about too - all the more reason not go up the mast.

Stingo's Law of boats: When one thing breaks, there will be ten things that need attention.

Without the sails up, Stingo rolls like a pig and so yesterday, while I was trying to secure things, I got seasick. You know the general practise when you puke is to do it downwind so that the puke doesn't fly all over the boat in the same way that you never piss into the wind. PHHHUUUUCK THAT!!! The furling gear was swinging about in 20knots of wind on the leeward side of Stingo and despite having a cycling crash helmet on, I knew it would still knock me out if it hit me while I was having a technicolour yawn, so for safety's sake, I decided to puke over the windward rail. Result: I already smelt like a sweaty coal miner but added to the stench by puking all over myself. I had puke on my pants, I had puke on my T-shirt and I had puke in my hair. Lovely! So I had a shower and now I smell like a poffta's picnic. Life aboard Stingo continues...

Thanks again to you all.

John


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Re: Latest from Stingo

Stingo called me at 2100 tonight .. now safely anchored ... and going for a long kip, lot of damage to boat but he is safely back ..

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Re: Latest from Stingo

Nothing heard from Briand, will try a third time in the morning. Disappointing, designers are normally straight onto the case..

<hr width=100% size=1>my opinion is complete rubbish, probably.
 
Re: Latest from Stingo

Thanks for letting us know - a couple of hours ago, I was thinking that he must be just about there by now. Hope he gets it fixed and carries on, but it seems like the repairs might take some time.

<hr width=100% size=1>It's frustrating when you know all the answers, but nobody bothers to ask you the questions.
 
Sounds like he's got the sort of bar tales that will keep him in drinks for the next 12 months!

very glad to hear he's safe and sound, although he might have an expensive stay before he heads off again

Please pass on big Hi!!!

<hr width=100% size=1>Me transmitte sursum, caledoni
 
Re: Latest from Stingo

Good to hear that. Pass on our best wishes. The trick now is not to get stuck there - that happens.

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Glad to hear he\'s safe - nm

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