Broken Mast H23

[nwkennard]

Hey all,
I'm in need of a new mast (H23 89) and am wondering if I can possibly use one from a different length boat? Hunter 22 or 27? The mast height on my 23 is 33' and it seems some of the older H27s have a mast height of 33'5". Is that also a stepped mast? Could i convert it?


Any info would be greatly appreciated!

 

[Phil Herring]

Looks like you might be able to use a mast from a 23.5. To use anything else you'd have to remove the mast base and figure out to secure a different one. There could be other issues, possibly with the stays, but I don't know for certain.

I _think_ the mast for your boat can still be built but it could be pretty expensive.

 

[nwkennard]

Thanks for the reply How expensive? What about repairing the broken mast? It's broken in one place right above the spreaders and it's a pretty clean break.

 

[Phil Herring]

I wouldn't ever advise anyone to repair a broken mast, but someone else here may be able to offer some input on that. I'm sure it's been done.

The mast itself is just an aluminum tube; a big part of the cost is the fittings. Are the spreaders okay? Masthead? Steaming light? Light bracket? Standing rigging? Any other fittings damaged?

 

[Crazy Dave Condon]

Phil, let me respond to this.

I am pretty much credited with the water ballast and also top dealer in sales for many of the trailerables over the years. I have seen alot and repaired alot.

When someone tells me a broken mast on a small sailboat can be repaired, you are playing with fire and your life not to mention other lives should that and it will a repaired mast on that 23 will rebreak and fall. All the dealers will advise the same thing to include Hunter. Then my question is do you want to hurt yourself and others possibly killing someone should a repaired mast fall apart after being broken once and repaired. The fellow on one boat did exactly what you are asking and he is now 6 feet under after that repaired mast broke falling and hitting him in the head.

My strong recommendation is to bite the bullet and buy a new mast from U.S. Spars in Gainesville Florida as they have the replacement mast for the Z spar mast that is on your boat. To modify another mast will be very costly. I am 62 and have been around sailboats since the age of 6 not to mention what I have done for this industry. This is experience talking.

crazy dave condon