In very light winds (5-7kts) in the middle of the Chesapeake Bay, El' BOB-Arino de-masted in a light gust on a port tack yesterday 8/20. Don't know why. Believe maybe the center port shroud detached at the chain-plate. Both center shroud's were detached after the incident. The mast broke at the top of the spreader fitting with the top half (w sails and rigging) spilling over the starboard side. Very clean cut....like it was sawed off. 1610 is stable in its slip at Chalk Point Marina in the West River in Maryland with the top of the mast in the cabin and broken portion hung up on the starboard spreader with the sail, shrouds, halyards holding it on. I've tied everything to the remaining mast stub so the rest doesn't come down in the marina.

Looking for / requesting guidance. First boat bought to teach the family how to sail. Nearly mission accomplished with the wife skippering yesterday when the incident happened (would love to blame this on her.....but really can't....joking) :).

What are my next steps? I called around for estimates to get the rest of the mast down and de-rigged. Assuming that's the first step. Need to take a systematic approach. Boat cover doesn't quite fit now, so protecting the cabin/sole is a priority. Want to preserve what's left as best possible. New mast??, Used Mast?? Haul out??

Thank you for any help.

Regards,

Rob

Rob Briede

(703) 861-1397

El'BOB-Arino (E1610)

I agree that you should contact Ensign Spars. I have heard of people sleeving masts if the break is clean, but you would end up shortening the rig and the mast snap alread has told you that there is a lot of load up there. I would be skeptical about anything other than a new extrusion, so it is not too early to find a rigger, who will need to transfer the hardware from the old mast. You will find many riggers just north of you in Annapolis. They also can help you source a new extrusion.

I have just finished a complete restoration of 1658 (photos follow), and we toyed with the idea of replacing the mast and boom but sourcing became a problem,

Apparently Rig-Rite can still supply the mast extrusion for Ensigns but they were not responsive to my yard. If you want to try them, here is the web page for masts: https://www.rigrite.com/A-Main/spar_M.php#Spar_Parts_by_Spar_Manufacturer

I spoke with Ensign Spars but never heard back with a price quote or shipping estimate. In the end, we simply painted the old extrusions, after the acid wash, primer/sealing routine.

Not certain who the orginal manufacturer of the extrusion was or whether alternatives are available. Rig-Rite calls the mast section "RR-4025." Here is a link to their page for that section: https://www.rigrite.com/Spars/Rig-Rite_Spars/RR-4025_Mast.php

I am also attaching a photo of the mast section on my boat, which matches what is shown on the Rig-Rite page.

Sorry to hear about your troubles. Good luck with the fix.

Stan Murphy

Nana

1658

"I was sorry to hear that Ensign Spars didnt reply to your enquiry.

"There was a short period of time when as ES transitioned owners that probably things got lost."

My comment was not meant as criticism. This occurred about eight weeks ago, so the transition was done.You will notice that the first sentence of my reply was that the OP should contact Ensign Spars. You will also note the comment in my second post about Ensign Spars delivering a mast to the East coast.

ES responded to my email inquiry about a mast and we had a nice telephone call, but they let me know that selling an extrusion and shipping it 500 miles was not something they were excited about doing, and thay just never followed up with a price or shipping information.

Again, none of this is meant as criticism, The reality though is that the OP keeps his boat ten miles from Annapolis, where there are riggers galore who likely have better and more frequent access to spar suppliers. Transportation issues really complcate sourcing a 25' extrusion so it might be best to deal with a rigger who has experience ordering extrusions. I live in a similar place with lots of yards and suppliers, and found that getting a section that long quickly is a challenge, even here. I suggest that anyone in this spot explore all options.

Ensign Spars is my first stop for Ensign specific parts and both Chad Lewis and the new owners supplied parts for my boat. Bob Conkey expedited a rubrail insert order for me when we discovered that the insert had not been included in an earlier order. I was very grateful for that extra help and certainly do not intend to damage their business.

All of that having been said, I hope that this forum is not so restrictive that we cannot openly discuss all available options.I have spent years sourcing parts for my boat and have found that if ES does not have a part, Rig-Rite (which, BTW, was the original source for Pearson) usually has what I need.

Stan Murphy

NANA

1658

Rob-

I am not seeing masts on the Ensgn Spars website but I know that they sell them because they advertised an East coast delivery on these pages this winter, suggesting that they would entertain additional orders

I am attaching a screen capture for the Rig-Rite page.

Stan Murphy

NANA

1658

Rob-

It occurred to me overnight that you might want to contact one of the Ensign fleets on either side of you in St. Mary's and St. Michaels. Leadership in Fleet 10 (St. Mary's) where my boat had been active, was very helpful in the early stages of my restorarion and at the time (although now years ago), they had extra boats and parts on hand. They might even have a spare mast. At a minimum, they may have knowledge about someone in your area who has been through a mast replacement. Look in the Ensign yearbook for contact information.

You might also consider placing a "Wanted" ad in the classified section of this forum.

If you have to drive locally to pick up a mast or extrusion, renting a 25' moving truck is an easy answer. I moved my old mast that way from the yard where it had been stored to the restoration shop and it fit in the truck fine. I needed to cushion each end and flag the little bit that overhung the truck door after tying the spar down.

Stan Murphy

NANA

1658

I'm interested to learn what you mean by "the port center shroud detached from the chainplate." Did the bolts holding the chainplate shear? Did the section of the hull the chainplates attach to fail? Reason I'm asking is that I had moisture entering the area where the chainplates are fastened caused cracks due to winter freezing. Have since reinforced and repaired, but I'm always concerned about the integrity of the 60 year old plywood enclosed.

Dick Beverly

Tracy #963

All,

I purchased a new mast with complete rigging from Ensign Spars. Everything is pre-drilled and the components came neatly packaged in a box. Problem is, no instructions, no diagram, no components list. Trying to get some further guidance from Ensign Spars without luck. My rigging shop in Deale Md. is confused as how it all goes together to get the proper tang placement for the stays and shrouds. The rigging diagram on this site is faded to the point I can't read it.

Does anyone have a rigging diagram for our Ensign boats?

Regards,

Rob

Rob Briede

(703)861-1397

El'BOB-Arino (E1610)

Rob-

Here is a picture of the shroud tangs on 1658, a 1977 boat. I think that I have some others from last year's rebuild. I will keep looking.

I am glad that this seems to be working out for you.

Stan Murphy

Nana 1658

Hartfield, Virginia

I took the faded drawing from the library and made it a bit easier to read.

Chance

Vesper #403

All,

So I have a new mast from Ensign Spars (fully rigged with standing rigging) and a new Harken Roller Furler (7410.10) w the 5/16 Toggle Assembly.

My rigger is confused. The headstay may be too long to accommodate the furler w the toggle assembly as purchased from Ensign Spars.

He is asking: What is the "pin to pin" measurement? Assuming he means from the top headstay attachment to the boat bow /bottom headstay attachment.

Anyone know?

Regards,

Rob

Rob Briede

(703)861-1397

El' BOB-Arino (E1610)

Rob,

According to ECA Rule Part II 6.A.

"The official length of the Ensign forestay from eye center to eye center including turnbuckle, toggle and any stretch when turnbuckle is pinned in its maximum extended position shall be no greater than 26 feet 3+3/4 inches."

I use Quantum sails and their tuning guide for the Ensign recommends that the best overall length for your forestay is 26 feet 3 inches and pinning it there and leaving it alone after that. This might vary slightly with a different sailmaker so you can check with your sailmaker. The idea is when you want maximum depth for power the forestay is at its full length and in heavy air to get a flatter sail you flatten your sail with mast bend by increasing backstay tension.

Hope this helps.

Pete Kogut

#856 The White Lady

Sorry for the typo, the class rule specifies 26 feet 3+3/4 inches maximum

Pete