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A harrowing story, and a good advertisement for free standing rigs...
In Response To: Dismasting of the Galapagos ()

lots of parts to fail in a Marconi rig, many of them with catastrophic consequences. A freestanding rig is as yet a bit unconventional in a catamaran, but it certainly has been done more than a few times. If I were replacing rigging in preparation for an ocean crossing, I think I would get all of the ball fittings tested - they seem to have a significantly non-zero failure rate. X-ray testing them would cost a pittance compared to the consequences of failure.

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