Broke the Dutchman

Took out the Dutchman yesterday up at Queen mary - was blowing a good 4/5 and not too gusty.
We were going like stink and even keeping up with some of the windsurfers!
After a good 40 mins, part of the furling gear at the bottom of the genny snapped and suddenly went horizontal from the top of the mast! Turns out the rod that snapped was made from aluminium and was completely not up to the job. I also discovered after examining the damage, the bridle bracket that holds the forestay must have taken such a massive shock, it had snapped the top section of the bridle. Anyway- i have now repaired the forestay so the mast wont fall down in these gales and am trying to get some stainless to make up a new section for the furler. Not least buy another quality pre-enjoyed genoa as the one it had is now in shreds after having a row with the spreaders.

Hope everyone had a better weekend than me!!
chris

There may be some "quality pre-enjoyed genoas" available via the contacts on the FD website

Hope you managed to get the furler sorted

Was going like stink- up to catamaran speed nearly! and the crew said he could see the front of the centreboard!
The breakage i think is a bit of stupidity on my part- i should have realised that a biro sized tube of alu would hold the main strength of a dutchman rig.
The furler isn't original by any means as it is a recent harken and looks as if it has been made from the nearest thing possible. Has anyone got any photos of how their genny is fixed? would be useful to get a reference point to modify the design.

As for the rest of the rigging, the shrouds look recent and the brackets, save for the spreader bracket, looks ok too. Famous last words.


Chris


Edited by Thunderchild

Probably best if you come down and have a look Chris. My boat is at Bewl Valley near Tunbridge Wells. I might be able to find a genoa for you too. PM me if you want to come down.

Neil

I sold the 5o5 to a chap in Southampton and am now up in Blakeney in Norfolk with the Dutchman for 2 weeks. Got it right on the plane today and going really well. Really flying along.

Kept up with a dart 18 which really annoyed him!

Might enter a couple of races with it and see how it goes.

Need MORE WIND!!!!!! nearly got on trapeze today but nearly isn't good enough.