When dismantling our Topcat K2 today, we noticed very heavy wear on the beams and beam mounts.
We’re wondering whether we’re doing something wrong here? We’ve been sailing with a reacher for about six months.
– Could it be due to the reacher?
– Is the trampoline tension too high or too low?
– Is the mast tension too high or too low?
– Or is it simply abrasion from dirt (sand) on the beams?
– Maybe just the age of our Seabird, built in 2001?
We have the problem on both beams and all beam mounts.
We’d be very happy about suggestions / ideas.
Team Seabird (Sascha & David)

Hi Sascha and David,
of course there is some rubbing at that spot, but in terms of strength it’s not a problem. If there is sand or similar at that spot, you get this appearance.
Clean everything nicely and apply a little gelcoat to the hulls with a wooden spatula. If you tape the beams at the bearing points with Teflon tape, you won’t have the problem on the beams anymore either. If the black end stoppers are very rough, I would replace them with new ones.
Best, Harald

Thanks a lot for your answer and explanation. We applied gelcoat to the affected spots the same day.
In future we’ll always clean the spots nicely before assembly.
One more question, what exactly do you mean by Teflon tape?

A self-adhesive Teflon tape. On one side there’s the adhesive film and the other side is Teflon. With it you’ve got the chafe marks firmly under control.
Best, Harald

Indeed the old hulls have a bit more play between beam and hull. I don’t think applying gelcoat makes sense, as it crumbles out again over time. If you do, then please don’t seal the ventilation hole, otherwise the hull can’t breathe. The tape alternative is better, but please don’t use duct tape or the like here, as those rub off over time and glue the beam and hull together so that you can’t get them apart anymore. Thin plates or films are also useful. But please only for recreational use; at regattas gluing or shimming the beams is prohibited.

Wolfgang, Chief Measurer