[S2] Please check these items on your boat

[telse at aol.com]

Hello everyone -

This is just a quick reminder. Boats are coming out for the season and there are a couple of easy -- and REALLY important -- things to remember. It's a 5 minute job.

Please check:
- The cotter / retaining pin in the fitting at the top of your forestay.
   Mine was worn when I checked two weeks ago. Jeff Mootz almost lost his mast due to this issue earlier this year.
   Steve Brandt's mast came down on Saturday because the cotter failed.
   Heck, just replace the cotter. Make SURE you use a stainless cotter. NO ALUMINUM.
   This one is really important -- You may even need to re-set the stainless 'Y' fitting at the (top) end of the forestay, such that it just fits over the terminal plate on the mast. That fitting can tend to 'splay'. If it does, there's a bunch of shear load on the tiny cotter -- generally speaking, not a fun thing unless the crew enjoys a good game of 'Catch The Mast'. 

- It's easy to take the spreaders off / check the spreader bracket. Make certain the rivets are solid and check to be sure there are no cracks in the welds. Mine had cracks last year.

- If you're storing your boat outside, tape the inboard ends of the spreaders so that water can't get in / run down to the outboard end of the spreader. If it does, it will freeze and distort your spreaders.

- Check your pintles for weld cracks. Look at the topside and the bottom side of both plates on each pintle.
  Mine had cracks a couple of years ago. Jim Kloss' (in STX) failed twice.

- Finally, check all of the wire rigging. Pay very close attention to the terminal swages. ANY discoleration in that area means "Replace it." Check for any kinks, abrasions, 'boogers' or any other imperfections. 

I hope this helps.

Tom
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