Welcome to the Thistle Mast Failure Survey.
The data you will provide will help us better understand what events, actions, conditions, or mast set-ups are associated with mast failure. Please note that there are 3 sections to this survey: (1) who is responding to this survey; (2) the conditions surrounding your mast failure event, and (3) the way your mast was set up. You should be able to complete this survey in 10 to 15 minutes. By providing your data, you will be helping the class move beyond the vague descriptions posted on the list-serve and to obtain enough information that thoughtful and informed decisions can be made. Thank you for taking the time to contribute to this database. We fully intend to publish the results in the Bagpipe.
4. When did you most recently experience a mast failure? *This question is required.
7. What color was the mast that failed? *This question is required.
9. When was the sail made?
QUESTIONS ABOUT YOUR MAST FAILURE EVENT
10. Were you racing when your mast failed?
11. Was you mast failure the result of .... *This question is required.
13. How would you qualitatively describe the wind conditions on the day that your mast failed? *This question is required.
14. What were the average wind speed conditions in miles per hour the day your mast failed? *This question is required.
15. How strong were the puffs (in miles per hour) the day your broke your mast? *This question is required.
16. Approximately, what was the temperature at the time of your mast failure? *This question is required.
17. What was your total combined crew weight? *This question is required.
18. What were the sea conditions? *This question is required.
19. What point of sail were you on when the mast broke? *This question is required.
20. Where did your mast break? *This question is required.
21. If you were not sailing downwind please skip to the next question. If you were sailing downwind, was your spinnaker up?
22. How tight was your vang at the time your mast failed? *This question is required.
23. What was your rig tension as measured by a Loos gauge? *This question is required.
24. What was your rake setting? *This question is required.
25. How much pre-bend did you have with the rig tensioned? *This question is required.
26. To what degree had your MAST STEP been shaped such that the forward edge was lower than the aft edge?
28. This question asks about shims used under the aft part of the mast to induce mast bend. If you weren't using any please indicate "not used". How thick were the shims you were using at the time of your mast failure event? *This question is required.
29. Were you using any shims or coins to limit mast bend at the time of your mast failure?
