Construction - a warning
Printed From: myHanse.com
Category: Hints & Tips
Forum Name: 400
Forum Description: 400 Hints, Tips and News
URL: https://www.myhanse.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=15396
Printed Date: 27 March 2026 at 03:29
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 12.06 - https://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: Construction - a warning
Posted By: Ratbasher
Subject: Construction - a warning
Date Posted: 15 October 2025 at 07:00
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This post is intended to warn other owners of the weakness in the construction of the fairleads and toe-rails. 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   ------------- H400 (2008) 'Wight Leopard' Gosport, UK |
Replies:
Posted By: Mark_J1
Date Posted: 15 October 2025 at 10:12
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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 |
Posted By: landlocked
Date Posted: 15 October 2025 at 18:52
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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 |
Posted By: Ratbasher
Date Posted: 21 October 2025 at 17:53
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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 |
Posted By: DJgun
Date Posted: 17 November 2025 at 02:50
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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 |
Posted By: Ian Coverdale
Date Posted: 17 November 2025 at 23:40
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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 |
Posted By: Ratbasher
Date Posted: 18 November 2025 at 05:38
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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 |