Hi Everyone.
I came across this small crack where the forestay meets the anchor roller - see photo
I know that the bulk of the weight of the forestay goes down the bow and is secure with the bolts and backing plates - just wanted to check if anyone else had seen a crack like this and if you did anything about it or just left it as is.
Many Thanks,
CB
Yes, I had the same problem two years ago. I was lucky because the mast was down so easy to call a technician who did a great job welding the crack.
Regards
Eladio Vallina
C-36 TR EUREKA II
Hull 1122 (1991)
Home port Barcelona (Spain).
I haven't seen this on our boat. I wonder what is happening?
Mast pumping? Too loose of rig?
Does the anchor roller tie into this fitting? If so maybe anchoring loads?
That doesn't look like a small crack to me. If it was mine I would fix the crack.
Thanks for sharing, I will be looking at mine more often.
Chuck Lennox
97 MKii Ventura Ca
Island Girl Hull #1611
There are previous forum discussions on cracked stem fitting. Use the search with cracked stem fitting as your argument and it should bring up the previous post.
Catalina Direct has this on their website as well;
http://www.catalinadirect.com/index.cfm/product/2573_803/stem-fitting-c-...
Gary Bain
S/V "Gone With The Wind"
Catalina 36', Hull #: 1056, Year: 1990, Engine: M-35
Standard Rig
Moored: Boothbay Harbor, Maine
Home: Auburn, Maine
The proper name for this piece is the 'stem fitting', and it is a very important structural and safety item for a sailboat because it helps to hold up the mast all the time, but particularly when under load. I'm not a rigger nor a marine engineer, but I would urge you to spend the time and effort to replace this piece. I understand that Catalina Direct can fab a replacement provided the old item is removed and shipped to them. Removal of the fitting *may* necessitate removal of the rub rail, not a trivial task.
Larry Brandt
S/V High Flight #2109
Pacific Northwest, PDX-based
2002 C-36 mkII SR/FK M35B
I have to agree with you Larry on taking a close look at it. I see that the gusset weld is broken in the original picture. I will look at ours in Nov. But I see the replacement has no gusset. I need to look and see if the mating part is cracked as well. I wonder what the reason the new one has no gusset installed?
Randy Sherwood
Mutualfun 1990 # 1057
T/R W/K M35a
Home. Charlotte, Mi.
Boat. St Augustine,Fl.
Guys
The CD web site addresses the weld cracking saying it was never a structural part of the assembly, the new design no longer includes the gussets. My boat also shows signs of the cracks starting.
http://www.catalinadirect.com/index.cfm/product/2573_824/stem-fitting-c-320-c-34-c-36.cfm
Gary Smith
93 MK I, Hull #1231
Std rig; wing keel
M35A Oberdorfer conversion
I get the new stem fitting doesn't use the gussets. The new fitting is also made of much thicker material. Does Catalina engineers agree the gussets being cracked is OK? Maybe if it just the gusset welds that have failed, maybe it's OK. If mine starts cracking I'm going to worry.
Chuck Lennox
97 MKii Ventura Ca
Island Girl Hull #1611
According to what I've read at the Catalina Direct site there is no problem if the crack is at the gusset, but if the stronger member is showing a crack....you do have some concerns :(
Gary Bain
S/V "Gone With The Wind"
Catalina 36', Hull #: 1056, Year: 1990, Engine: M-35
Standard Rig
Moored: Boothbay Harbor, Maine
Home: Auburn, Maine