Help!!! I have a slight mishap!

[Jeanne Bromberg]

Okay, not so slight! I've been demasted. A friend and I were out in what was obviously too much wind. I thought we were going in, but we sailed past our point to go in and my friend and Captain at the time said, "I think we'll try a couple of passses on this end of the lake, I think it's more protected. Well about 5 minutes later, we learnded what is too much wind. Our windward stay let loose and in an instant the mast bent slightly and before I could release or drop the main it snapped off just above the deck. Well, in case you don't remember me, I was the one who asked about the wisdom of making my mast a two piece operation in order to make stepping it eaiser. I now have a new perspective on that. It would be better to have the hardware let loose than to have the mast snap. In fact I now have two pieces to the mast. But, I am going to need to replace my mast. I have called about cost and a bare mast is $600. Way more than I can afford. Any ideas or info on finding a used mast? Or, is it possible to straighten the bend or will that further weaken the mast?My thought is it wouldn't hurt to try at this point. The bend is from about 6" above the point where the mast goes though the deck. The severity of the bend is gradual. I'd say if a straight mast is 12 o'clock the bend is about 2' and is 12:10. Also, how would you recomend supporting the inside of the mast, so in attempting to straighten it I don't end up caving it in. I am thinking about shoving something like a baseball bat (wood) into it before the attempt. What do you think? Other than we should have gone in when we thought we should have gone in. Thanks, Jeanne B

 

[Tom Tighe]

Changing mast to two piece design

Perhaps the bent section is short enough that it can be cut out and the mast can be changed over and updated to a two piece design,using parts purchased from D&R Marine.

 

[Ric]

it will never sail right

I don't think it will ever be "straight". I had an aquaris 21 with an ever so slight bend that would not point well to port. You certainly have nothing to loose by trying, but in the long run I think you will want to replace.Ric"comes a time"Lake Winnipesaukee, NH

 

[Tom Monroe]

only if you want to repeat ...

You say "it wouldn't hurt to try at this point." But it CAN hurt, and quite a lot, as you've just experienced.Having lost a couple of masts, my guess is that you've left out a bunch of the story ... bobbing wildly, trying to untangle stuff, scared, etc. The blunt truth is that if you want a repeat experience, try some shortcuts. If you want to feel safe and comfortable next time the wind gets up, you're going to need to do two things:First, find a good second hand mast (don't remember what kind of boat you have)Second, have someone who knows what to look for inspect your standing rigging. Without even looking, I'd be willing to bet at least a nickle that the swag fitting on your windward stay failed. That's the weak point. And loosing the stay is why you lost the mast.And, you don't want to just look at the mast ... use this and the off season as an opportunity to examine the whole system ... from deck fastenings to mast head and everything in between. When you get to looking at costs, ask yourself what you'd be willing to pay for a failed item when you're scared, wet, etc. in the middle of a big lake in a too-big thunderstorm, maybe bobbing around in a life jacket, or even without. I don't want to scare you OFF of sailing, but I do want to scare you ON to having your whole rig checked. Why be sorry when you could be having FUN!Tom MonroeCarlyle Lake

 

[Mike C]

what size boat???

I had to replace my mast 2 years ago...I called Dwyer Spars in Ct and they gave me an estimate of $399 plue shipping.I called D&R Marine in Mass and Rudy found me the SAME Mast for alot less...look around and you can find a new spar for the amount of money you can afford.