SAILING Mast Refit Mistakes You Won't Believe! SwT 82

This video emphasizes the critical importance of professional mast refitting and standing rigging on sailboats, highlighting the lack of global regulations and certifications for rigging companies (0:43). The host, a sailor with over four decades of experience, including search and rescue, shares insights to help sailors avoid amateur work (1:56). Key takeaways from the video include: What a Full Refit Entails: A comprehensive refit involves more than just replacing cables; it requires replacing all pins, turnbuckles, shrouds, sheaves, and fittings. A professional refit is "pin-to-pin," using original parts whenever possible (5:49). Mast Unstepping: The mast must be unstepped for a full inspection, regardless of whether it's keel-stepped or deck-stepped, to properly inspect critical areas and ensure everything is in order (4:10). This also allows for access to wiring and sheaves (5:08). Frequency of Refits: For long-distance sailors, it's recommended to replace everything after 9-10 years, with most surveyors and insurance companies agreeing that every 10-12 years is a safe timeframe (2:58). Lightning Strikes: After a lightning strike, the entire standing rigging should be replaced because the extreme electrical power can compromise the strength and characteristics of the metal components (3:37). Identifying Amateur Companies: They may suggest keeping old turnbuckles, which is dangerous (10:17). They don't replace everything "pin-to-pin" (10:23). They might change cable types or diameters, which can compromise the rig (10:59). They don't ask for vital information before providing a quotation (11:27). They may suggest doing the refit with the boat on the hard, which can invalidate insurance (9:55). Dangers of Improper Refitting: The video showcases extreme examples of negligence, such as bent stem bolts, wrong pins, missing safety pins, and using non-original or improperly mounted parts, all of which can lead to catastrophic mast failure (7:16, 8:19, 13:31, 14:24). The example of Kylie's boat, which had a "full refit" that was done incorrectly, putting her life at risk, is a central theme (11:42, 13:09). THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR WATCHING AND SUBSCRIBING! If you found this helpful you could consider supporting me on Patreon:   / sailingwiththomas   You can also follow sailing with Thomas on other platforms for almost daily updated pics and videos, and even find yourself a new T-Shirt: Facebook:   / sailingwiththomas   Instagram:   / sailingwiththomas   Shop: https://sailingwiththomascom.wpcomsta... ABOUT THIS CHANNEL: I`m sailing around the world in my Bavaria 55 Cruiser, making videos whenever I have time for it. Most of the time I sail singlehanded but occasionally I do have sailing friends onboard. Even though this is season 3 on YouTube I have already sailed 4 seasons full time but did not make that many videos in the beginning. Before full-time sailing, I have sailed several seasons in the Med before this, and obviously also in Scandinavia. I have been traveling the world before and am an active regatta sailor. I had my first sailboat at age 7 and have been sailing ever since. Also more than 10 years experience from Search and Rescue at sea in Norway. PLEASE BE KIND IN THE COMMENTS! I'm just a normal person sharing my travel adventure through my eyes and experience from my perspective! Remember how I do things that might work for me but not for you. It might even not be the correct way to do things, and I don't have the blueprint either. I'm not perfect and nobody is. The day I believe I know it all and don't think I can learn new things I should go ashore.