Arnstein Mustad Dissects Dismasting During Pac Cup Return Delivery
In our current, September issue’s Sightings pages, delivery skipper Arnstein Mustad describes the dismasting of the Class 40 Möve during its return from Hawaii. They were just 50 miles into the return trip to San Francisco when the forestay let loose and the mast came crashing down during the night. You can read the story here, and also see the video below documenting the immediate aftermath of the accident and some lessons learned.
The most important lesson is to be prepared. Arnstein teaches sailing at Club Nautique, which includes the importance of preparation for dismasting before you’re in need. He’s taught the course, but this is his first actual dismasting at sea. The preparation paid off.
Though the conditions were not extreme, the dismasting did happen at night, placing an additional premium on having the right tools and knowing where they were located on the boat.
See more in September’s Latitude 38.
The Resourceful Sailor appreciates this. Headstays take an exceptional beating on the ocean with the rolling seas flopping the headsail around. Turning theory into practice is awesome.
So sorry for them. I have never been dismasted…but do carry bolt cutters to cut the rigging. It seemed the portable electric grinder took time to get through the rigging…even in what looked like gentle seas. Any thoughts on bolt cutters vs portable grinder anybody?
Ahoy! You can send me an email and I’ll send you back a cheat sheet on tools and their effectiveness. We use this sheet in our classes as we cut through various rigging.
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