Epiphany Sailingvideo
Disaster! Dinghy Davits Collasped rough seas sailing the Gulf Stream, Atlantic Ocean! C&C 39
12 November 2023 · 5 min · 273 views · Gulf Stream
What this video covers
A C&C 39 crossing the Gulf Stream encountered sea states significantly rougher than the forecast, resulting in a 20-hour motor-sail and a series of structural failures in the dinghy davits and solar panel support frame.Watch The initial failure occurred when a bolt securing the davit tension backstay to the toe rail snapped.0:20 This caused the load to shift, leading to the failure of the Winkley and the subsequent collapse of the solar panel frame.1:22 Additional failures included set screws vibrating loose on tubing caps and the shearing of pop rivets on hinge connections.2:50 To stabilize the structure for the remainder of the passage to Bimini, the crew deployed 550 parachute cord to lash the davits and solar frame to the winches and rails.2:22 A mop handle provided temporary vertical support for a sagging corner of the solar array.4:27 The crew plans to replace the set screws and rivets with quarter-inch 20 stainless steel screws upon arrival.3:59 Lashing and temporary bracing can stabilize structural failures in heavy seas to allow for safe towing of a dinghy.4:57
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