Broken mast strut

[Slowboat314]

Raising the mast yesterday, and I had my new lower shrouds a little too tight (and on the wrong side of the spreaders) initially. I'm not sure at exacly what point it happened, either when the raising pole fell off-axis briefly, or when some very enthusiastic helpers hauled on it before I could confirm correct shroud attachments. There is now a longitudinal crack in the port mast strut, which I didn't notice until everything was up. Tension on the shrouds feels reasonable and the mast is stable, but I'm hesitant to take her out until this is addressed. I also need to drop the mast again to fix a halyard issue, which I'm a little nervous about given the damaged struts.

Right now winds are gusting upwards of 40kts, so I can't really do anything until it calms down.

Assuming I don't overload it again, can I continue to sail with a damaged/missing strut? Also, assuming I have extra hands to take the weight if it lets go, can I still safely drop the mast for other maintenance? There's a fairly long lead-time to get new ones from Hunter Owners so I'm looking into locall fabrication, but expecting a bit of a wait.

Thanks for any advice!

 

[kloudie1]

It would be best to not use that strut as it is.. The crack looks to have been caused by water freezing inside the tube. A good stainless welder could weld that up.. Probably would be best to weld a patch over the crack after the crack is fixed with the edges of the patch about 1/2" beyond the crack all around. The patch should be the same thickness as the tube material.. That would be fine until you can source another ....

 

[Slowboat314]

Thanks!

Can anyone (Crazy Dave?) chime in for certain whether these things are needed for rig stability when the mast is upright? The manual says not to sail without them, but the local 'experts' (experts relative to me, but none are professional riggers or marine architects) say it's only necessary for raising/lowering.

 

[SteveHughessails]

If I was on a camping trip with my 240 and broke one one of my struts, I would complete the trip and come home as scheduled. I would not call for a tow. If I broke a strut prior to the scheduled trip, I would fix it. Our vessels are to be maintained and must be sea worthy. I agree the strut is not a major point of strength while under sail (or all SV’s would have them) but it is nonetheless a broken part on your vessel.

I have a small machine shop close by that allocates Thursday’s to help the community with small tasks. I bet you could find a shop that could fix/replace that in no time.

If your mast is still stepped. You could easily use a small piece of rebar and a few hose clamps to reinforce that while unstepping then pull the strut.

 

[Windpilot]

I had a strut come off due to the top bolt holding it break. I was half way accross the Pacific in 30k average true wind.
I saw how the mast pumps without the strut, luckily I had a bolt to fix it. They are not meant for compression, that will damage them, the ball joint bolts bent on mine once. Fixing, welding yours should be fine.
Mine are on a 410.

 

[Slowboat314]

I pulled it off without unstepping and dropped it off with a local fabricator. Should be back ajd ready to sail before I'm off work in a couple weeks. Not really worried abour the mast with the rest of the standing rigging in-place and no sails up.