Mermaid Spar
Spar Repair
A 46 foot Sparkman Stephens designed, Paul Luke-built ketch broke off her main
masthead while racing in heavy weather in August. The repair was
completed in a timely fashion and the boat didn’t miss out on Maine’s
great late summer sailing.
Why did it
break? Modern sail technology that allows big genoas to be carried in
heavy weather. When the boat was built in 1958, cotton sails wouldn’t
take that abuse, so the lack of cap shrouds was sufficient for jibs and
staysails in heavy going. Solution? A little modern magic in the
retopped mast head.
