Good Day gone bad

Last night at about 11pm I checked the weather, there were 35mph winds predicted this morning. I know that is alot but I have really been wanting to push my boat. In all reality they were just over 20 gusting to 30 but those are still good winds.

So with my morning free of classes and my friend not having to be back until 2:00 we set out at 5:30 for the lake. The first hour went great, granted it was pouring rain and a little chilly but the wind was amazing and the two of us on our 14's had the lake to ourselves.

So there I am with one hull out of the water just flying on a reach, when !POW! I look up to see my mast falling fast for the water, and the end of a shroud just flapping. Fortunatly I was only about 300 yards from bank and it was downwind. So I did the paddle of shame to bank. Let me say that my shrouds were in good shape and I has double checked them just before heading out. It broke just above the connection on the side bar.

No one is hurt and I had decided that today would be the finally trip out before I dismantled my boat for the winter. So there we go, I am now in the market for a new shroud and want so explaination as to what might have caused this. That isn't to much wind is it? I don't think so and I am just hoping that the shroud has a failure in it somewhere.

Any advice would be great.

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Nacra 5.2 "Elsies"
Hobie 14T, "Blazin" I guess I am keeping her!

shrouds get normal wear and tear from rigging and derigging the boat, from trailering, and from just standing around. It can break at that connection if you leave it rigged all year round and not taut, so that the mast will bang around and harm the shrouds, forestay, bridle wires, even the mast base piece and tangs get worn from this.

alternately, if you trailer your cat, then every time you take off the rigging and stow it, the wiires are getting bent somewhat, and if you leave the rigging on, and bundled up when you trailer it, then make sure none of the wires are pulling at their thimbles.

but it sounds like yours was just worn at the thimble connection point, and just needed to be replaced. i just replaced alll my rigging for the 150 or whatever it costs, and it was the most satisfying investment ive made on the snowman. it just feels so much better. if your other rigging is as old as that one that broke, i would replace it all. just my opinion. good luck

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Peter Scranton
'14 Tandem Island "Awesome"
'03 Windrider Rave "Menage a Trois"