My mast has a 12" crack at the lower section of this 50 ft mast. (see photo) Is there a risk sailing with Genoa with this condition. Has anyone ever had this type of crack repaired with welding ?
Crack In Mast
- Thread starter plannen
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Welding aluminum is a bit tricker than steel. You need to find a master welder from a better shop. The amount of magnesium in the alloy will be important in the welding and welders that have experence with aluminum will have no problem. Those without that experence will blow holes through the metal.
Now what caused that crack? It might be a very good idea (just because I thought it up) to check your rigging tension before the welding is done. Loose rigging is very hard on a rig and to crack the mast that low means it has flexed alot.
Good luck with your repair. Ray
Now what caused that crack? It might be a very good idea (just because I thought it up) to check your rigging tension before the welding is done. Loose rigging is very hard on a rig and to crack the mast that low means it has flexed alot.
Good luck with your repair. Ray
I've watched a new mast extrusion being cut, squeezed together, and welded into a taper with all the masthead components welded into it. I would venture that this can be fixed by a good welder.
make sure if it is welded that whoever does it cover a large area of your deck arounbd the mast with thick fire proof material to prent little piece of hot steel from embeding themself in your fiberglass deck, or better have it done with the mast of the boat,
Where will the steel come from when welding an Aluminum mast? The job is much better done down hand with the crack horizontal. Not many would want to attempt to weld that vertical.
Many years ago I worked at a metal fabrication shop, and the boss brought in the mast from his sailboat, snapped in half. He had the shop welder, an expert in Aluminum welding weld on a 12 inch sleeve around the break - back in service with no problems.
The key point is an experienced Al welder - We had lots of steel welders claim they could weld Al, but they usually just burned through it - ouch.
The key point is an experienced Al welder - We had lots of steel welders claim they could weld Al, but they usually just burned through it - ouch.
if you hire a good welder he may not care if its up or down....most aluminum welders can weld overhead as well as flat or vertical.......most have been trained to do it all positions.....and if they are certified they will be able to do that ....if you need to know if they are certified just ask them for there papers and ck the date... to be current the date will be no more than six months old....
regards
woody
regards
woody
Woody:
Yes, I can just see the welder cooking wires, lines and conduit.
That is the only reason to suggest it. When the stick is down, it is a great time to replace sheaves (even if they look okay). It is not an easy job to do with the stick on the boat.
Yes, I can just see the welder cooking wires, lines and conduit.
That is the only reason to suggest it. When the stick is down, it is a great time to replace sheaves (even if they look okay). It is not an easy job to do with the stick on the boat.
yes those are all good reasons to drop the mast...then he can have a double header so to speak.......
regards
woody
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