The mast on my 1979 O'Day 23 broke off in a big storm with five foot waves a couple days ago. It was moored at the time. The only apparent damage to the boat was the mast. Apparently one of the spreaders broke, the mast snapped off above the spreaders and then sheared off the screws that connect the mast to the tabernacle plate. I am new to sailing this year and am interested in any advice on where to start looking for a replacement mast, likely costs, and any other factors I should consider. The mast length is 27 feet. Thanks. dbudinger@aol.com
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james
Not a good thing!
hey guy! Sorry to hear about the mast and especially since you just got started. Wow, I just got started and hope nothing like that ever happens to me. I know a place on the web called rigright.com that supposedly carries Keyon Mast that were usually installed on 23ft O'days. I have been to the sight and it still has the mast stock and most components available for my 1973....cool huh!
hey guy! Sorry to hear about the mast and especially since you just got started. Wow, I just got started and hope nothing like that ever happens to me. I know a place on the web called rigright.com that supposedly carries Keyon Mast that were usually installed on 23ft O'days. I have been to the sight and it still has the mast stock and most components available for my 1973....cool huh!
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Warren
Rig-Rite is the way to go
Rig-Rite, Inc. will be able to help you, however I hope you are very good with a ruler. If you go to their website, follow the instructions to Kenyon Spars, then to masts. You will see descriptions and dimensions and some common usage. If you call them they will ask you to go to the website and figure out for yourself what part number you need. You will need to take exact measurments of your old mast at various points. The problem is that just telling them it was a 79 O'Day 23 will not be of any help, as O'Day put different masts and booms on the same year and model. When I first went to the site for a part for a boom it was very difficult to tell the booms apart, however if you get exact measurments it will make finding the correct part number a breeze. Again, the only complaint was the lack of customer service, however I now can understand why. They made so many spars for so many boats years ago, and they do not want to be responsible for shiping out the wrong part, especially a mast. For example, when I purchased my 79, O'Day 23 there was an identical 79, O'Day 23 in the yard. However, the rigging was not the same, both were Kenyon but different models. Good luck. http://www.rigrite.com
Rig-Rite, Inc. will be able to help you, however I hope you are very good with a ruler. If you go to their website, follow the instructions to Kenyon Spars, then to masts. You will see descriptions and dimensions and some common usage. If you call them they will ask you to go to the website and figure out for yourself what part number you need. You will need to take exact measurments of your old mast at various points. The problem is that just telling them it was a 79 O'Day 23 will not be of any help, as O'Day put different masts and booms on the same year and model. When I first went to the site for a part for a boom it was very difficult to tell the booms apart, however if you get exact measurments it will make finding the correct part number a breeze. Again, the only complaint was the lack of customer service, however I now can understand why. They made so many spars for so many boats years ago, and they do not want to be responsible for shiping out the wrong part, especially a mast. For example, when I purchased my 79, O'Day 23 there was an identical 79, O'Day 23 in the yard. However, the rigging was not the same, both were Kenyon but different models. Good luck. http://www.rigrite.com
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Dave
Used Masts and Parts Yards
Thanks Warren and James for the recommendations. Again, being new to sailing and boating, I have a couple more questions: Are there such things as parts yards or junk yards for old boats which have been abandoned as there are for old cars? If I could be assured of exactly the right parts, would it be sensible to try and get a used mast? I have seen ads for some old boats which could cost less than the mast sold on its own. How do you dispose of the rest of the old boat once you have salvaged the parts you desire? Thanks again for the helpful counsel. Dave
Thanks Warren and James for the recommendations. Again, being new to sailing and boating, I have a couple more questions: Are there such things as parts yards or junk yards for old boats which have been abandoned as there are for old cars? If I could be assured of exactly the right parts, would it be sensible to try and get a used mast? I have seen ads for some old boats which could cost less than the mast sold on its own. How do you dispose of the rest of the old boat once you have salvaged the parts you desire? Thanks again for the helpful counsel. Dave
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James
Try Rudy
Dave - I know the feeling - In my first year on the 4th outing we were about 4 miles off shore in Buzzards bay. My friend was at the tiller and looking up uttered the now famous words .... "should the mast bend like that?" as there was an almightly great crash. The mast broke in exactly the same place as yours and was also broken at the tabernacle. We later traced the problem to a broken thread at the bottom of the shrouds. The outer shroud failed and then ... bang. Since I was new to sailing and do not have deep packets this was a major blow. Howevber I am very fortunate with some very talented friends and friends of friends. We repaired the mast by 1) Cleaning all the broken edges 2) making a sleeve about 24" long which went inside the mast at the spreaders 3) Bolting the two pieces of the mast to the sleeve and then welding the two sections together 4) making a new "foot-plate" whcih provided the necessary step to accomodate the loss of height when we cleaned up the ends of the broken pieces before re-assembling and welding. Total cost - 2 cases of beer! It is as good as new. I have been out in a number of high wind situations and have not had any problems. I have been told that repairing masts is common for bigger boats so this might be an option for you if you can find the right yard. Having said that it might be easier to call Rudy at D&R Marine. Rudy is THE expert on O'Days and I have beeen to his shop/warehouse. I believe he may have the right mast etc or could point you to a "used" shop. Remember the advice from Warren that there were many different spars used on the same boat in the same year. Rudy's number is 508/644-3001 Good luck
Dave - I know the feeling - In my first year on the 4th outing we were about 4 miles off shore in Buzzards bay. My friend was at the tiller and looking up uttered the now famous words .... "should the mast bend like that?" as there was an almightly great crash. The mast broke in exactly the same place as yours and was also broken at the tabernacle. We later traced the problem to a broken thread at the bottom of the shrouds. The outer shroud failed and then ... bang. Since I was new to sailing and do not have deep packets this was a major blow. Howevber I am very fortunate with some very talented friends and friends of friends. We repaired the mast by 1) Cleaning all the broken edges 2) making a sleeve about 24" long which went inside the mast at the spreaders 3) Bolting the two pieces of the mast to the sleeve and then welding the two sections together 4) making a new "foot-plate" whcih provided the necessary step to accomodate the loss of height when we cleaned up the ends of the broken pieces before re-assembling and welding. Total cost - 2 cases of beer! It is as good as new. I have been out in a number of high wind situations and have not had any problems. I have been told that repairing masts is common for bigger boats so this might be an option for you if you can find the right yard. Having said that it might be easier to call Rudy at D&R Marine. Rudy is THE expert on O'Days and I have beeen to his shop/warehouse. I believe he may have the right mast etc or could point you to a "used" shop. Remember the advice from Warren that there were many different spars used on the same boat in the same year. Rudy's number is 508/644-3001 Good luck
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Sergio
Broken Mast
Sorry about your mast. I have a 23' mast that I removed from my O'day 22, that I'll let go for a song. May I email you with the info?
Sorry about your mast. I have a 23' mast that I removed from my O'day 22, that I'll let go for a song. May I email you with the info?
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