[C320-list] Cracked forestay stem head fitting

[Kaare Wold]

Rick, if you decide to remove the fitting and have it welded,  my suggestion 
is to investigate the welding process and procedure the welder plans to use 
and confirm that he is experienced with welding stainless steel.  Any crack 
MUST be completely excavated, a proper bevel groove prepared and welded with 
a matching filler metal.  (Most stainless on boat fittings is a common 304 
or 304L)  Welding over a crack and simply covering it up is inviting 
disaster.  Cracks propagate under stress and welding over it is a quick 
bandaid fix that is not satisfactory.
Kaare Wold   (retired welding engineer that prefers to sail)   Sheet Music 
#945
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Rick From Inflate Co" <rick at inflateco.com>
To: <C320-List at Catalina320.com>
Sent: Friday, August 30, 2013 11:19 AM
Subject: Re: [C320-list] Cracked forestay stem head fitting


I will be taking her out Saturday . Last week I was in gale force conditions 
and main ripped in half. Today my new Ullman Sails are done and installed. 
The surveyor told me to walk to bow and check for movement whilst under sail 
and on a run and if movement , fix promptly. I lost a head stay on my old 32 
Ericsson 30 miles out to sea before so I am very careful to not have THAT 
happen again, man that is one big BANG you don't want to hear when sailing 
:)

I will keep everyone posted . My rigger said he can pull it off, have welded 
and replaced , just a bit of a hit on the bill !

Just replaced all my lines, halyards, cushions, dodger , the like this week 
so I kinda spent a bit, but the forestay would've come first had I known 
sooner . Oh well , par for the course , us crazy sailors.

By the way, since I own a banner and tent factory, I made a boat flag for 
myself with my boat name and art.  If anyone wants one, contact me thru my 
office .

Thank you and please excuse any grammatical and/or  typographical  as sent 
from iPhone.

Rick Portanova | President | CEO
INFLATE CO, INC.
www.InflateCo.com
949-340-0104 Office


On Aug 30, 2013, at 8:18 AM, Millers <millers1 at aol.com> wrote:

> Rick, just inspected that weldment.  No cracking evident, however I will 
> clean the welds and inspect more closely when hauled. Hull age may be a 
> factor??
> Art.  #680
> Sent from my iPhone
>
> On Aug 30, 2013, at 9:20 AM, Rick From Inflate Co <rick at inflateco.com> 
> wrote:
>
>> Yes I am hull 235 and my sister ship neighbor is a year older and a small 
>> crack has already started
>>
>> Thank you and please excuse any grammatical and/or  typographical  as 
>> sent from iPhone.
>>
>> Rick Portanova | President | CEO
>> INFLATE CO, INC.
>> www.InflateCo.com
>> 949-340-0104 Office
>>
>>
>> On Aug 30, 2013, at 6:11 AM, millers1 at aol.com wrote:
>>
>>>
>>> Rick,  What is your hull #??  WindSwept notes a problem  with the 
>>> fitting on hull #246.
>>>       Maybe an earlyprogram problem??  Will check the area on my hull # 
>>> 680 today.  Thx
>>> Art
>>>
>>>
>>> -----Original Message-----
>>> From: Rick Sulewski <rsulewski at bex.net>
>>> To: C320-List <C320-List at Catalina320.com>
>>> Sent: Fri, Aug 30, 2013 8:29 am
>>> Subject: Re: [C320-list] Cracked forestay stem head fitting
>>>
>>>
>>> Could someone post the photos of the stem cracks on the 320 owners 
>>> website?
>>>
>>> -----Original Message-----
>>> From: c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com
>>> [mailto:c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com] On Behalf Of Rick From
>>> Inflate Co
>>> Sent: Friday, August 30, 2013 8:25 AM
>>> To: C320-List at Catalina320.com
>>> Subject: Re: [C320-list] Cracked forestay stem head fitting
>>>
>>> I will send photos soon. The cracks (on each side) go the full 2 inches
>>> where the vertical plate meets the horizontal fitting on the bow. That
>>> horizontal fitting appears to have a hole for using a different angle on 
>>> the
>>> headsail. So the plate us intact, it is where the plate is welded to 
>>> that
>>> short horizontal piece mounted flat at the tip of the bow
>>>
>>> Thank you and please excuse any grammatical and/or  typographical  as 
>>> sent
>>> from iPhone.
>>>
>>> Rick Portanova | President | CEO
>>> INFLATE CO, INC.
>>> www.InflateCo.com
>>> 949-340-0104 Office
>>>
>>>
>>> On Aug 30, 2013, at 5:15 AM, "Larry Frank" <WindSwept at stx.rr.com> wrote:
>>>
>>>> WindSwept had cracked welds in the stem head fitting a number of years
>>> ago.
>>>> Please describe where you are experiencing cracks and I will share my
>>>> experience which include Gerry Douglas' comments if the location is
>>>> the same.  Someone else suggested sending a photo but I am not sure
>>>> you can do that.  IF you want to send the photo directly to
>>>> windswept at stx.rr.com that will work too.
>>>>
>>>> It may take a few days for me to respond as I will be on WindSwept for
>>>> the holiday weekend.
>>>>
>>>> Larry
>>>> WindSwept C320 #246
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> -----Original Message-----
>>>> From: c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com
>>>> [mailto:c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com] On Behalf Of Rick
>>>> From Inflate Co
>>>> Sent: Thursday, August 29, 2013 3:10 PM
>>>> To: C320-List at Catalina320.com
>>>> Subject: [C320-list] Cracked forestay stem head fitting
>>>>
>>>> Guys
>>>>
>>>> I have a Cracked forestay stem head fitting . A local surveyor said go
>>>> to sea and if it moves much replace /fix it. He said to just weld the
>>>> cracks would heat the caulking and add a leak . My sister ship next to
>>>> me is beginning to crack so must be chronic.
>>>>
>>>> Anyone deal  with this before?
>>>>
>>>> Thank you and please excuse any grammatical and/or  typographical  as
>>>> sent from iPhone.
>>>>
>>>> Rick Portanova | President | CEO
>>>> INFLATE CO, INC.
>>>> www.InflateCo.com
>>>> 949-340-0104 Office
>>