[quote=mattson]Took the Prindle 19 out for Wet Weds last week in 20 kts gusting to 24 in steep waves. I had a new guy with me probably weighing 210+ and 6'6", so a lot of righting moment on the wire. I am still proving this boat for Santa Barbara Channel crossings, so I was pushing it hard that night to make sure it would hold up.
It didn't.
I had two failures which I believe were simultaneous:
1. A failure of the twist toggle that attaches the shroud chain plate to the shroud tang. This dismasted the boat.
2. A fracture on the inboard side of the starboard hull just forward of the front cross bar.
Either the failure of the hull put a shock load on the shroud, or the failure of the shroud put a shock load on the forestay. The main reason I believe these happened at the same time is the fragility of the hull after the failure. I can move it side to side with my hand. Had the boat not stopped immediately at the time of the failure, I would have lost the entire bow.
The twist toggle:
[img]http://www.catsail.com/p19/KIMG0145.JPG[/img]
Outside of the hull:
[img]http://www.catsail.com/p19/KIMG0134.JPG[/img]
[img]http://www.catsail.com/p19/KIMG0135.JPG[/img]
[img]http://www.catsail.com/p19/KIMG0136.JPG[/img]
Inside of the hull:
[img]http://www.catsail.com/p19/KIMG0137.JPG[/img]
The experts tell me this is repairable. Also, I've spoken with a veteran at NACRA on the history of this boat. This is a 1986. In 1987 the design added a sub deck to the bows. The 85 and 86 boats do not have it. My boat only has a bulkhead under the front crossbar, and another 16 inches in front of the leading edge of the crossbar:
[img]http://www.catsail.com/p19/KIMG0142.JPG[/img]
So, in addition to the crack repair, I am going to reinforce both hulls. I am going to fabricate and install a fiberglass foam core sub deck running from the forward crossbar to the bows. The vertical position would be about 2/3 up the hull. That is by hunch only. Opinions welcome.
Additional options I am considering in addition to the sub deck:
1. A layer of carbon fiber cloth bonded to the inboard sides of the bows.
2. A layer of carbon fiber cloth bonded to the inboard AND outboard sides of the bows.
3. A layer of carbon fiber cloth bonded to the inboard sides of the bows, a layer of foam, then another layer of carbon fiber.
4. A layer of carbon fiber cloth bonded to the inboard AND outboard sides of the bows, a layer of foam, then another layer of carbon fiber.
[b]Comments? Opinions? Advice?[/b]
Keep in mind that I am nuts, obsessive, and have a tendency to throw good money after bad with reckless abandon.[/quote]
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