In article ,
=?Windows-1252?Q?Capt._Neal=AE?= wrote:
A sailboat that suffers a dismasting simply because one swage lets
go is not a worthy vessel. There should be at least two lower shrouds
per side to hold the mast if and when an upper shroud lets go. This
will allow the mast to survive provided the helmsman is on the ball
and takes action to head the boat up or off to save the mast.

We had a dismasting on our orgs Catalina 27 last year due to a failed
lower swage, one of two per side. It shouldn't have happened at all,
because it was a maintenance issue, or more accurately, a lack of
attention to detail on the part of the rigger who "inspected" the
boat. He since been replaced.


--
Jonathan Ganz (j gan z @ $ail no w.c=o=m)
http://www.sailnow.com
"If there's no wind, row."