Bent Mast?

[rawlings]

I was given a 1979 O'Day 22 for a wedding present last year, and i know next to nothing about sailboats. When I sight my mast on the ground, it has a slight hook in it about halfway down, near where the shrouds attach. Is this dangerous in any way? I sailed it three times last fall on a lake and seemed fine to my untrained eye/ear, etc. If this is a problem, where can I get a new one?
thanks

 

[OdayDave]

Big or small bend?

Is this a little bend that you can see with the mast up and the stays and shrouds tightened? If that is the case, then you can fix the problem by just adjusting the tension on the stays/shrouds.

On the other hand, if it is a kink or if there is a big bend that still exists when the mast is down or the stays/shrouds are loose, then the problem may be more serious. If it's minor, then maybe it can be straightened with rig tension. On the other hand, if it is more significant, then I don't know if it can be straightened. But I'm sure there are other readers of the forum who can help.

Pictures would help to determine whether or not this is a serious problem.

Dave
O'Day 222

 

[rawlings]

Re: Big or small bend?

it is a small bend, however it is apparent on the ground and with the mast stood. i might be able to straighten it with the rigging, i did not try for fear of overtensioning the rigging. the boat is in my mother in law's yard covered, pictures are out of the question for now. i am hesitant to think that i need a new mast, i found one on d&r marine's website for around $1500.00. zoinks!
thanks for the reply

 

[Joe11688]

I was given a 1979 O'Day 22 for a wedding present last year, and i know next to nothing about sailboats. When I sight my mast on the ground, it has a slight hook in it about halfway down, near where the shrouds attach. Is this dangerous in any way? I sailed it three times last fall on a lake and seemed fine to my untrained eye/ear, etc. If this is a problem, where can I get a new one?
thanks

I would call up a marine metal fabricator in your area and ask him about this. These guys are very familiar with bending stainless steel and Aluminum in making towers for cabin cruisers. Granted, your mast is probably 26 or 27' long and they may or may not have the equipment to bend something that long, but he may be able to give you some ideas on how to go about doing it yourself. Masts can bend right in half very easy, so care must be taken in trying to remove a slight bend by pulling on it in the opposite direction. Perhaps, if you just took the mast and leaned it up against something with the "wow" on the top, it may eventually straighten up. A little weight added to the center of the mast may help it along.
More info added:
Lay a 4"X4" about 5' long on top of the mast, to tie your weight to the mast. This will distribute the weight evenly and prevent the mast from bending in half.
Joe