Mainsheet to Pedestal - Weak Link?

[waternwaves]

I am seeing some signs the pedestal might need to be reinforced.

with a 96 X boat........ I have a relatively small connection between the pedestal and the mainsheet blocks/chock (used to use a 3/16 locking link) . I probably will reinforce the pedestal, but has anyone else used a limiting link, maybe a D ring, or biner, or some other method to limit the torque applied to the pedestal?

I am now looking at maybe something like a 100 lb tension spring block.

(100 lbs per inch of travel) has anyone used anything smaller...... or maybe some EPDM springs??

thanks

[Frank C]

. . . but has anyone else used a . . . method to limit the torque applied to the pedestal?

No, but I've often mused that the pedestal's simply not adequate to anchor the mainsail.
My traveler-in-progress totally eliminates the problem ... pix available next week.

[Moe]

I'm not disputing the pedestal could stand reinforcing... but honestly, how many pedestal failures have you read of in these forums? Consider also the number of hard accidental gybes and that some of these occurred with the mainsheet fastened even higher on a short grab handle fastened only to the pedestal.

[Newell]

I think you should be concerned. The 95 and 96X both have pedestals that may be even weaker than the later models. I changed to a dual mainsheet connected to extended genoa tracks on the coamings, then moved to a mid-boom sheeting on extended tracks on the the cabintop and finally changed to a homebuilt traveler that slides on the cabintop. No more concerns about the pedestal, better mainsail control, more storage, and more setup time.

The cabintop traveler can be a head banger, so make it slide out of the way.

Newell
Fast Sunday 96X

PS: Just completed 2 wk trip to Catalina, Morro Bay and South Bay SF, sometimes very windy, everything worked, no problems.

[Catigale]

Im with Moe on this one. There are a lot of statistics out there with 1000+ boats that say this isnt a problem. I do have the table with the enhanced pedestal that bolts to the cockpit floor, to be fair

[eric3a]

..

[Catigale]

FG is pretty strong in tension - imagine what it would take to break your pedestal pulling mostly upward. I think the boom would go first honestly.

Still, I do like that mine attaches to SS,even if I cant point to failures of the stock design

[kmclemore]

Im with Moe on this one. There are a lot of statistics out there with 1000+ boats that say this isnt a problem....

Ditto. I don't think I've *ever* heard of a pedestal failure - has anyone??

[Bill at BOATS 4 SAIL]

Years ago, one of my old girlfriends wanted me to put her on a pedestal. That was a failure.

[kmclemore]

Years ago, one of my old girlfriends wanted me to put her on a pedestal. That was a failure.

Yeah, well she meant figuratively, Bill.... she didn't mean so you could look up her skirt!

[kziadie]

Years ago, one of my old girlfriends wanted me to put her on a pedestal. That was a failure.

Gives a new meaning to having her on the sheets...

[waternwaves]

Let me clarify..... it is cracked....2 plcs
and I am repairing and reinforcing. The two small rail reinforcements are in. I need to run one more vertical.

And it is not an easy location to access the bottom side of the glass.....Without removing all of the wiring and steering...

I think I am going to skip vacuum bagging on this one.


so For me... I have to repair....the genny tracks are not an option.....Cannot use the enclosure then.

I still sail much of the year with the enclosure on.....
Modification of the boat to include another system would have to be done with the arch I am working on. A cabin top Traveller system would be in the way of the enclosure.

[Frank C]

Three observations:

First; Yes, I've read of one pedestal failure on the 26X. He had the sheet attached to a half-hoop grab bar, which was attached to the ped with only 4 bolts. An accidental jibe ripped out the forward fiberglass face of the ped, along with the grab bar. Taken in tandem, they made a worrisome 'pendulum' swinging from the boom.

Second; The main stress to be considered is not 'in tension.' Rather, an accidental jibe will almost certainly produce large lateral stress at the pedestal base. Methinks that risk is more of twisting and tearing at the sole-mounting tabs.

Third; If, or when, the pedestal pulls loose, it will complicate steering and engine controls.

Agreed that experience dictates this a remote risk. The harsher the sailing venue, the greater the risk. Since this failure would be most likely when least expected, and least manageable, I think improvement mods are particularly worthwhile for coastal or distance cruisers.

[Catigale]

For the sole mounted bar, which goes into plywood into the cockpit floor....thats quite a gybe to break that free - I would guess a defect would have to b present to make that happen.

for the front of pedestal mounted bar I could see a healthy gybe taking that out - that would suck having that bar flailing the cockpit agreed.

Ill be interested in your traveller mod Frank..that is a good way to improve this area if your conditions and/or sailing style merit this.

[Theo]

OK, Gentlemen,

I must admit that I have had an idea about just this situation percolating in my head for some time now. Understand that this must remain a secret among us. Part of the deal between me and the Admiral prior to being married was that I was restricted from having any ideas. Maybe this is why?

From what I understand, one of the main puposes of a traveller is to control the effective angle of effort on the boom with respect to the center line of the boat. This could also be achieved with a vertical traveller. Instead of mounting a traveller across the cockpit of the boat, just mount a track vertically along the front of the pedestal. The bottom of this track could be bolted into the cockpit floor. By raising and lowering the attachment point on the vertical track one could change the angle of the mainsheet to the center line of the boat.

While this might not give the full funtionality of a regular traveller, it would be very easy to install, just a track along the front of the pedestal reinforced with a bolt into th cockpit floor, and would not clutter the cockpit. It would also be pretty easy to use, just move a car up and down the track.

Any comments? Is this why I am not allowed to have any ideas?

Theo