View Full Version : Blue water yachts????
Frank Arndorfer
12-31-1969, 04:00 pm
Every item mentioned that came to grief was hardware. Clearly this is a HARDWARE issue. Boat mfgr is one thing, HARDWARE supplier is another.
Here we go again but I just had to let you know of an incident down under today. Met up with a delivery skipper in a magnificent ?????? (sorry I don't think I should say although it was built over near England). 45 foot long with every thing that opens and closes. A true "blue water yacht" They called in a week ago to refuel. Driving past our town jety this morning lo and behold here she is back in. Sailed 400 miles East in fairly moderate conditions. Steering broke (emergency tiller all the way back) Traveller fell to bits. Vang attachment at base of mast snapped. Headsail sheet blocks broke. Owner now broke. Mmm Makes you wonder?
Yes I agree Frank but you would expect that after spending huge bucks that at least the hardware supplied with the "Blue water yacht" would be up to it.
Richard Owen
02-06-2003, 01:14 pm
Hardware failures can kill you out there too!!!
Rick Webb
02-06-2003, 03:52 pm
It was all the little things breaking that kept the big ones from working and then the whole thing was not going anywhere.
Frank Arndorfer
02-06-2003, 11:15 pm
I agree with all your comments Rich, Mark, and Rick. Any system is only as strong as it's weakest link. But for once this wasn't a post about failed chainplates, lost rigs, ripped decks, etc. I recently returned from the Strictly Sail Show in Chicago, plus attended Annapolis last Fall. I spent a considerable amount of time observing deck hardware, running rigging, systems etc on boats from true bluewater to admittedly casual coastal cruisers. And I see the same Harken, Schaffer, Lewmar winches, blocks, travellers, cars, etc. I see Yanmar and Volvo engines, Jabsco and Raritan heads and plumbing, Raymarine and B&G electronics, Whitlock and Edson steering gear, All quality stuff. I guess my point (or question) is: the structure of the boat is one issue. How it's equipped is another. Are there varying levels of quality in what's supplied to manufacturers on OEM equipment.???? None of these folks make shabby stuff. No doubt some is better than others. make any sense.????
Stephen Ord
02-07-2003, 08:08 am
Aren't they the ones who make the Jaguar, The Rolls Royce, the MG (for the true soports car nuts) etc? I would say they make excellent vehicles and also some bad ones, as does everyone.
Rick Webb
02-07-2003, 08:33 am
I don't even want to start in about Lucas electricals.
Jeff D.
02-07-2003, 10:16 am
Why do the English drink warm beer? They have Lucas refrigerators. Next.
Sam Lust
02-07-2003, 11:41 am
All of the hardware manufacturers offer levels of strength capability from lightweight daysailor level on up through heavy duty stuff engineered for heavy displacement ocean cruisers and racers. The hardware guys do not spec the stuff, the boat builders do. A great way to boost percentage of profit is to chintz on hardware strength level. Seems they figure "how many of these so-called ocean cruisers will ever go beyond sight of land? They figure they can get away with it. And more often than not they do. Are their failures on the floor of the oceans? Unfortunately, determining suitability still seems to be left to the buyer, whether he's qualified or not. My solution? Prety much all of the orriginal hard goods on my Hunter 33 have been swapped out for much heavier equipment. Cleats, blocks, running and standing rigging. When it blows the last thing I worry about is hardware.