My sailboat has a mast approximately 50 feet in length. I had the mast removed for repainting. After the rigger had removed it I noticed that it had a pronounced bend in it to starboard. I asked the rigger if he could straighten it. He said it is not a good idea to straighten masts and said that he would tune the bend out when he tuned the rigging. Does anyone know under what conditions a bent mast should be straightened, or how much of a bend can be tuned out? What should I tell the rigger? Thanks, Don Buckner
Bent mast
- Thread starter Don12548
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Rigger is a rigger...
Hello... How was your mast supported 'on the hard' (on its side)... It may have bent out under its own weight and lack of support - under compression on the boat most loads are vertical through its length - on its side its a 50 foot stick of metal (or wood) bearing the gravity of planet Earth... Also - can be unbalanced shroud loads from single or double spreaders letting themselves have a 'rest'... Also I am assuming this to be an alloy extrusion - if wood laminate, you have a bit of a problem 'forcing out the bend' - lateral ot other - thru tuning - can break the laminate or other fasteners - your consideration... Go get yourself a cheap laser level to fire up at the crane head from your goose neck, when that rigger says he has 'tuned it out' - and I imagine he will have done so - if not - slag his buttocks in the local media and make him make it right... He sounds like he knows he had not enough support on the mast on its side and is fluffing you off on what can be done when its raised vertical - but lack off support same would red flag me to follow him on all points following... Cheers... Sean Herron.
Hello... How was your mast supported 'on the hard' (on its side)... It may have bent out under its own weight and lack of support - under compression on the boat most loads are vertical through its length - on its side its a 50 foot stick of metal (or wood) bearing the gravity of planet Earth... Also - can be unbalanced shroud loads from single or double spreaders letting themselves have a 'rest'... Also I am assuming this to be an alloy extrusion - if wood laminate, you have a bit of a problem 'forcing out the bend' - lateral ot other - thru tuning - can break the laminate or other fasteners - your consideration... Go get yourself a cheap laser level to fire up at the crane head from your goose neck, when that rigger says he has 'tuned it out' - and I imagine he will have done so - if not - slag his buttocks in the local media and make him make it right... He sounds like he knows he had not enough support on the mast on its side and is fluffing you off on what can be done when its raised vertical - but lack off support same would red flag me to follow him on all points following... Cheers... Sean Herron.
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