Mid October, 2012: Attempt to Sucia

Weather:  Scattered clouds and cool.  Winds:  NW 15-20kts.  Waves:  2-3ft.

Not sure of the date.

Attempted to go to Sucia Island and would have made it but for an equipment failure, more like a failure on my part to ensure all the equipment was ready.

Exiting Skyline, sailed west under main and genoa to Rosario Strait and then north between Blakely and Cypress Islands at 6kts.  Winds and waves at this point were comfortable enough not to have a reef in.  Rounding Lawrence Point, the east end of Orcas, the full brunt of the wind and waves hit.  Put a reef in the main and genoa and made 8kts.

Just west of Barnes Island, there was a CRACK...from starboard, the windward side.  Nothing seemed out of place, but things just don't go CRACK.  I kept looking, particularly with these strong winds, there was a lot of stress on the rig.  Finally found the source:  The captive pin on a D shackle had released.  This was the lowest shackle, holding the running backstay tensioner to the ama.  The shackle was bent wide open, the pin was still there, holding onto the block.  The other end of the shackle was jammed into the ama fitting.

All seemed stable.  If it failed completely, the rig would not go over the side as the tensioner was only the tensioner, the rest of the stainless backstay was in place.  Sure, the rig would list badly, but not fall over.  Still, a lot of pressure on that side.  Motoring to Sucia, in these winds and waves, would have been insane.  Still plenty of daylight.  No spare.  What would tomorrow be like?  So, with Sucia in sight, we did a 180 and headed home.  A much nicer ride downwind!

Back in Rosario, between Blakely and Cypress Islands, the wind died and we motored the rest of the way home.  Even though a motor, the weather was great and the sun shown to the west.  Very pleasant, with auto engaged, sitting up on the bow, enjoying the moments with Kelly!

Lesson Learned:  Safety wire all the captive pins and shackles.