Bart Senior wrote:
You are sailing upwind, offshore, when your backstay
parts at the masthead. The nearest land is 600 miles
to weather, and you have limited fuel, water, and food.

What should you immediately do? [1 pt]

Point the nose into the wind to take the strain off the rig.


What steps can you take to prevent the loss of
the whole rig? [1 pt]

On my wee boat, I might be tempted to trust the double lowers until I can
jury rig something. Ease the jib halyard and maybe slacken the forestay.
Ease the downhaul and sheet the main n hard (or tighten the vang?) to try
and get the leech tighter than the luff? Possibly rig a line around the
mast, over the spreaders, and secure to some aft cleats.


What can you use to replace the backstay long enough
to get home? [1 pt]

Topping lift, perhaps (might not be strong enough), or the main halyard if
its feasible to sail under jib alone. If there's a spinnaker halyard, that
could be used.


What else can be done to pull the mast aft to keep
tension on the rig? [1 pt]


Could drop the main and attach a second line to the head, then raise the
main and secure the new line aft.


--
Wally
www.artbywally.com
www.wally.myby.co.uk