6 inch mast sleeve

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centaur114

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Oct 26, 2011
3
Westerly Centaur Hancock, MI
Hi folks,
I am seriously considering buying a 37' sailboat, but have a concern about the mast. The current owner bought it as a project boat and found the original mast corroded at the base. He found a freshwater mast to replace it but the shape did not allow for a tight fit over the aluminum plate at the keel. He proceeded to cut a one-foot (non-corroded) section from the old mast and attached it to the bottom of the new mast with an inner sleeve made of the old mast. My problem is the sleeve is only 6 inches in length. The sleeve is bolted to each mast section with 10 ss bolts.

I am not familiar with keel-stepped masts, but it would seem that there is a fair amount of sideways force exhibited on the mast in a strong blow. From what I have read, most mast sleeves are much longer to extend farther into each mast section. With only 3 inches of overlap, I am concerned that the mast could torque apart. The current owner has NOT had the new mast under sail yet.

Any thoughts are appreciated. Thanks
 
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patrscoe

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Sep 29, 2011
52
S2 11.0A Kinsale
The previous owner did not sleeve the mast correctly, not using the proper sleeve length and the correct mast profile, also using stainless steel fasteners into aluminum without any separation between the two different metals. All not good.
You could remove the 6" sleeve but would be very costly as you would have to modify the standing rig, sails, etc...
If you really want this sailboat and is priced right, you could use this poor repair as leverage in your offer, and then once purchased, have a professional rigger provide the correct mast profile (should be available if he purchased new) and sleeve the mast and weld the two together, which most new masts are sleeved and welded, just that they know how to do it correctly. Still will be expensive.
A lot of sailboats are on the market right now.
 
Eric M

Eric M

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Sep 30, 2008
159
Island Packet 35 Jacksonville
Beyond the repair not sounding even close to proper, why is the replacement mast not the same profile as the old one? Sounds like it may not have the flex the original one was designed to have. Patrscoe said it well..."A lot of sailboats are on the market right now" Time to move on, who knows what else was not repaired properly by the owner of this boat.
 
jviss

jviss

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Feb 5, 2004
7,090
Tartan 3800 20 Westport, MA
Best way would be to get a piece of the correct extrusion and have it welded. Try Rig-Rite .
 
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centaur114

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Oct 26, 2011
3
Westerly Centaur Hancock, MI
Many thanks, all. I think you saved me from making a big mistake. Now I get to go sailboat shopping again...
 
redhead78

redhead78

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Dec 30, 2009
680
jeanneau 38 gin fizz sloop Summer- Keyport Yacht Club, Raritan Bay, NJ, Winter Viking Marina Verplanck, NY
mast sleeve

I removed my mast this year and found a couple of cracks, and some metal corrosion, especially in the alum mast step. I had it glass beaded, and epoxy painted. The mast base cracks had me really concerned, i had a welder make and install a 5" tall I think, it was 3/16ths thick sleeve welded around the base,as the interior dimension could not be altered as it fits over the mast step. It was expensive aluminum tig welding by a mobile welding co. This is not an area I want to fool around with a cheap repair.Its not the prettiest, but its strong, I am going to paint white... I would not mess around with this, it may be fine however getting tig welded on the 2 ends would be my 2 cents, plus its out of sight correct below the sole? Red
 

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centaur114

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Oct 26, 2011
3
Westerly Centaur Hancock, MI
You are correct, Red. I would not normally have looked at the mast step, having no prior experience with keel-stepped masts. However, my antennae starting "pinging" the more I dealt with the owner. Decided to do some real bilge-diving and am so glad I did. The first thing I saw was the mast was not centered on the mast step, but sitting up on top. We fixed that through a lever and fulcrum on the foredeck, a crowbar down below and some judicious hauling on a shroud. Then the turnbuckles didn't have enough thread to tighten the shrouds. Was in the process of replacing some turnbuckles when the antennae pinging went into overload. Posted this forum and got some advice. Buy is cancelled.

I am suggesting a slight modification to the old adage: The third happiest day of a sailor's life is the day he walks away from the wrong boat.
 
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