Construction - a warning

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   This post is intended to warn other owners of the weakness in the construction of the fairleads and toe-rails.

I've long known that the fairleads on Hanses were so weak as to be for decoration only so normally I run shore lines directly from the cleat to the dock.  The result of not doing so is evident in the damage seen in the photo.  The boat was secured for the end of season and I'm guessing marina staff 'helpfully' adjusted the line.  Although apparently there's no sign of other damage some heavy force was applied which bent back the horn on the fairlead with the shoreline then catching on the toe-rail, ripping it off about 12cm.
As I live some 2500 miles from the vessel I'm fortunate in having a good Shipwright who cares for the vessel in my absence.   Had he not noticed the damage it would soon have been compounded by water ingress from rain.

Recommend that the stock fairleads are not used and that heavy-duty snubbers are attached when leaving the vessel for any length of time.  Mine had survived 8 seasons similarly secured - until this one.

Iain

Edited by Ratbasher - 15 October 2025 at 08:28

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Ratbasher Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Vice Admiral Joined: 31 May 2017 Location: Cyprus Status: Offline Points: 818	Post Options Post Reply Quote Ratbasher Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: Construction - a warning Posted: 15 October 2025 at 07:00
	This post is intended to warn other owners of the weakness in the construction of the fairleads and toe-rails. I've long known that the fairleads on Hanses were so weak as to be for decoration only so normally I run shore lines directly from the cleat to the dock. The result of not doing so is evident in the damage seen in the photo. The boat was secured for the end of season and I'm guessing marina staff 'helpfully' adjusted the line. Although apparently there's no sign of other damage some heavy force was applied which bent back the horn on the fairlead with the shoreline then catching on the toe-rail, ripping it off about 12cm. As I live some 2500 miles from the vessel I'm fortunate in having a good Shipwright who cares for the vessel in my absence. Had he not noticed the damage it would soon have been compounded by water ingress from rain. Recommend that the stock fairleads are not used and that heavy-duty snubbers are attached when leaving the vessel for any length of time. Mine had survived 8 seasons similarly secured - until this one. Iain Edited by Ratbasher - 15 October 2025 at 08:28
	H400 (2008) 'Wight Leopard' Gosport, UK

Mark_J1 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Rear Admiral Joined: 12 March 2013 Location: Dover&Medway UK Status: Offline Points: 690	Post Options Post Reply Quote Mark_J1 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 15 October 2025 at 10:12
	Iain that’s a great shame. Hope you get it resolved easily. The Pfieffer sections still seem to be available at least but it may be ‘fun’ importing long lengths. Maybe Inspiration Marine stock some? I echo the ‘never trust the fairleads’ message. Load on the rails has to be managed carefully too! It’s not just that they are flimsy. The casting has a poor finish and the edges are like knives on your lines. I really must hunt out a friend with a 3D printer for sintered metal & craft an improved version with better shape and fixings! Mark
	Hanse 400e "Grey Goose" Hull #31

landlocked Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Rear Admiral Joined: 12 April 2005 Location: Canada Status: Offline Points: 568	Post Options Post Reply Quote landlocked Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 15 October 2025 at 18:52
	I’m sorry you have to deal with this damage Iain, but I really appreciate the post and the caution to other owners. I’ll be extra careful to avoid the same problem and hopefully won’t have any intervention from helpful marina staff!
	"Kerkyra" 400e #042

Ratbasher Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Vice Admiral Joined: 31 May 2017 Location: Cyprus Status: Offline Points: 818	Post Options Post Reply Quote Ratbasher Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 21 October 2025 at 17:53
	Thanks folks. Just for completeness, I've managed to source a replacement 6m strip of toe-rail via Inspiration Marine at £594 tax-paid. Replacement fairleads are £65 each, though for all the use they are they might as well be plastic. Did consider going to my S/steel fabricator but the cost would be ridiculous and there's no problems with simply leading the lines direct from the cleats. Iain
	H400 (2008) 'Wight Leopard' Gosport, UK

DJgun Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Captain Joined: 04 April 2020 Location: SydneyAustralia Status: Offline Points: 287	Post Options Post Reply Quote DJgun Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 17 November 2025 at 02:50
	For sure the horns on the fairleads are not very strong. Take care not to use a bigger rope/mooring line than the gap because it can create upward pressure on the horn. That is what broke the horn on my vessel. I have filed down all the sharp edges so lines down to swing mooring don't chafe, but it isn't a wonderful solution. Stainless fairleads would be much better.
	DJ.....Sailor Ordinaire HIN DE-HANJ0331J708

Ian Coverdale Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Captain Joined: 19 June 2019 Location: Travelling Status: Offline Points: 311	Post Options Post Reply Quote Ian Coverdale Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 17 November 2025 at 23:40
	Sorry to see you have damage Iain. Wonder if there is any stretch in those mooring lines. Snatch forces can be considerable if there is no elasticity in the system to arrest the boat movement. Suggest it would be worth investing in some Liros Handy Elastic mooring lines. They stretch by over 20% under load so have very much reduced snatch and far less stress on fixings. We bought a full 100m drum and cut into 4x 10m and 4x 15m lines which was far cheaper than buying separate made-up lines. Cheers.
	Ian & Andrea SV Gabrielle (H445) Liveaboards - currently Montenegro. www.facebook.com/sailinggabrielle

Ratbasher Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Vice Admiral Joined: 31 May 2017 Location: Cyprus Status: Offline Points: 818	Post Options Post Reply Quote Ratbasher Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 18 November 2025 at 05:38
	Thanks, Ian. Yes; such lines were indeed used together with back-ups so she could be left for extended periods and I'd substantially reinforced the backing plates of all cleats a couple of seasons ago. Everything was fine - until some marina matey decided that the lines should run through the fairleads and 'helpfully' rerigged them. Dave is quite right that they should really be S/S but given the strength of the cleats this wasn't cost-effective. Not the worst I've ever suffered though. My very trusted shipwright has quoted £1500 including all parts; not nice but as I'm 2500 miles away from the boat it saves me a flight! All the best for over-wintering in Montenegro; hope the weather as is nice as it here in Cyprus.
	H400 (2008) 'Wight Leopard' Gosport, UK



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