August 4, 2008

To the Membership;

There have been many valuable lessons we have all learned sailing the new A-symmetrical configuration. As part of that process we have had several reports of equipment failures, most notable mast failures and deck/hull problems at the chain plates. The reports of these problems have resulted in a variety of accounts depending on the perspective of those commenting on the incidents. As a result, the NCESA has contacted the boat owner and compiled some basic information presenting factual information in a consistent format for the benefit of all the E-boat owners. We have provided this data without interpretation with the hope we can all gain from an understanding of how the boats and equipment are performing. If any of you, as boat owners or skippers, have any additional experiences or information please contact our Vice Commodore, Art Brereton, who I have asked to collect and compile on behalf of the NCESA. We will update as additional information becomes available.

Kind Regards;

Sail Fast!

Rick Turner, Commodore

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ R E P O R T ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Charleston, 3/22; 25 mph and steep chop

HO 50  Doug Johnson 2000 Melges, Aft chain plate retro Colie, Conv by Windward.
Deck/Hull joint separation forward of chainplate.
Uppers 700#    Diamonds ?                 Crew 650#

SC 22  Will Hankel
Broke mast after turtling, and possibly sticking mast in bottom

Minnetonka 5/17; 25 mph

M 8  Chad Olnes 2003 Melges, Conversion by Windward
Deck/Hull joint separation at the chain plate at Minnetonka 5/17, 25 mph
Uppers 600#,   Diamonds 300#    Crew 750#

Lake Geneva, 5/18; 17-27 mph

WA 99  Casey Call 2006 Melges Conversion by Melges
Knee under chain plate damaged. Geneva 5/18, 17 to 27 mph,
Uppers 750#    Diamonds 400#           Crew #690
Hull was lifted out on crane after swamping with a considerable amount of water

GL 9  Toby Sutherland 2005 Melges Kit Conversion
Cracks at Hull/Deck seam above and below deck
Uppers 600#    Diamonds 400#           Crew ???

 Hopatcong, 5/18; 25 mph

LA 99  Dave Magno 2005 Melges Conversion by Windward
Chain plate glass cracked on Spinnaker reach
Uppers 800#    Diamonds 300#           Crew 650#

Pewaukee 5/31; 17-27mph

V 800  Doug Mills 2006  Melges.  Aft Chainplates. Conversion by Melges
Chain plate glass cracked downwind.
Uppers 800#    Diamonds 400#           Crew 750#

V102  Pete Ogden 2001 Melges.  Forward chainplates. Conv by S&R Marine
Mast failed at halyard exit
Uppers 450#    Diamonds ?                 Crew 820#
Mast failed after aborted jibe w/ mainsheet well eased, excessive crew weight. Unclear if spreaders in aft hole

V 777  Bill Radje 2002 Melges, Forward chainplates, Conversion by S&R Marine
Backstay broke, then Mast at lower spreader.
Uppers 500#    Diamonds +400#        Crew ????
Mast unable to sustain loading after backstay failure

Wawasee, 5/24

WA 17  Chris Hackelman
Broke mast after tipping over

Pine Lake, 5/31; 17 to 27 mph

X 751  Ted Rolfs  2008 Melges Aft Chainplates
Mast broke downwind
Uppers 750#    Diamonds 600#           Crew 660#
Excessive diamond load resulted in over prebend, overload of lowers, and too high compression loads. Mast failed ½ way from lower spreaders to base, which confirms this diagnosis.

Pewaukee 6/7, 22 mph

V 300  Craig Duchow. Fwd Chainplates
Broke mast after breaking backstay during previous race on Pewaukee. Mast may have been stressed during that failure.

Delevan, 7/12; 20+mph

D 1883 Brian Buzzell  2005 Melges Aft Chainplates  (sailed by Buddy Melges)
Cracks developed between deck and hull (inside) near knee.

M  77  Woodie Jewett 2004 Melges Aft Chainplates
Cracks developed between deck and hull (inside) near knee during ILYA Invite at Delavan 7/12. 20+ mph. Also hairline cracks apparent on outside seam.

Torch Lake 7/12; 17-22mph

TO 181  Kevin Watrous. Melges forward chainplates.
Broke after sailing 2 downwind legs with no port backstay.