Readers' tip of the week: Additional tree protection in the event of a lollipop fitting breakage

It shouldn't happen - but it does: a patent jibe. Despite the boom brake, the cardan joint in the boom fitting broke. On Sparcraft rigs, this part is made of cast aluminium and is virtually a predetermined breaking point. In wind force 8 and corresponding swell, this is a problem that is almost impossible to get under control while underway. After we had the damage several times, we made the following changes: The self-locking nuts on the boom fitting and the mast joint were replaced with corresponding ring nuts.

We threaded a Dyneema line through these rings. This keeps the boom where it belongs even in the event of damage. The last time the joint broke was on the trip from Cascais/Portugal to Madeira. Thanks to the safety device, we were able to sail on for another two days in winds of more than 30 knots and didn't even notice the breakage at first.

In addition to the conversion, we always carry a replacement universal joint on board. This part costs just 40 euros at Sparcraft, but is invaluable if the worst comes to the worst.

- Robert Krinner, by e-mail

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