On 2007-10-08 14:11:25 -0400, Frogwatch said:

However, insurance routinely pays for sinkings resulting from siphoning
heads. I consider this to be such a serious issue that I took the
marine head off my boat.

There is a middle ground: close the sea cock(s) while under way. Since
we're on the Chesapeake with ample numbers of working pump-out
stations, our through-hull is capped.

I wouldn't have my favorite cruising partner if I removed the head.

As far as REAL risk goes, the strength of the forestay is effectively
increased by the strength of the wire in the luff of the jib.

IF the jib depends upon a halyard from the masthead. Our Flexible
Furler has an internal halyard.

Come to think about it, I don't believe our jibs have wire luffs, but
even without it, the bolt rope and material would do the job for a
short bit.

--
Jere Lull
Tanzer 28 #4 out of Tolchester, MD
Xan's new pages: http://web.mac.com/jerelull/iWeb/Xan/
Our BVI pages: http://homepage.mac.com/jerelull/BVI/

Jere Lull wrote:

Come to think about it, I don't believe our jibs have wire luffs, but
even without it, the bolt rope and material would do the job for a short
bit.


No, actually it wouldn't.

Not unless it was at least the size and strength of the forestay -
and tightened the same or tighter.

If the forestay failed that boltrope won't even slow it down...

Richard