Mast corrosion

V

vegatern

.
Oct 2, 2005
465
This weekend I removed 2 suspicious cleats from the mast, about
8" below the gooseneck, and found corrosion to a depth of about 1/8"
and about 1 ½" to 2" in diameter. I suspect this type of damage can
not be repaired. Am I right? If the mast needs to be replaced are
there any sources for a Vega mast, or what other sailboat would have a
mast that would be compatible? thanks Craig
 
X

xxxblister

.
Oct 31, 2019
48
Hi Craig & list.
I just replaced the hodge podge wooden mast on my Vega with the mast
from a Bristol 24. The measurements were perfect. Only slight changes
to the standing rigging were required.

The Bristol only had one set of lowers so you need a second set.
The backstay had to be shortened considerably because the Bristol
didn't have a split backstay. The uppers were shortened about 5".
The lowers were shortened about 4". Because I had the wrong mast to
begin with I needed to buy a new headstay of 31 feet INCLUDING THE
TURNBUCKLE. I found that out the hard way and had to make several
trips up the mast to correct that problem (up the mast, drop the
stay, shorten it again, back up, shit, wrong clevis pin, back down,
back up with correct clevis pin, etc...). We do things right because
we do things twice. Or thrice. Total cost in rigging: $144 US
The mast I got in trade for my wooden one. Good trade!
My sails fit perfectly! Here are some pictures:

BEFORE:

Gala @ AndyT13

www.andyt13.com
AFTER:

ANDYT13

www.AndyT13.com
www.andyt13.blogspot.com www.andyt13.blogspot.com

Good luck!
Andy
 
P

pelagicasd

.
Jan 28, 2001
694
I used a mainsail from a Catalina 25 for a while. It was a good fit. I
wonder if the mast would be worth considering as a possible replacement?
Walt
 
V

vegatern

.
Oct 2, 2005
465
A previous owner, I think more than 15 years ago, injected the
mast on the Tern with expanding foam, probably to improve the righting
moment should she be inverted. Recently, while I was changing the
steaming light, I discovered that rain water had been trapped in the
mast and a small runnel ran from a screw hole for more than a day.
So, . . . now I'm wondering if perhaps the inside of the mast might
be corroded, though I have no way of knowing. I could try to remove
the foam, but still would probably not be able to inspect the
interior. I could replace the mast but that is an expensive option if
it is not necessary. Has anyone known of such a situation or have any
thoughts? Thanks
Craig Tern #1519
 
P

pjacobs55

.
Oct 30, 2019
1,459
Craig:
I inspected the inside of our chimney using a web camera hooked to my
laptop computer. I shone a powerful light down and slowly lowered the
camera, 'clicking' off a still shot every few inches.

Maybe this would work with a mast. You'll have to take it down and get
the foam out though. Maybe a little heat applied with a heat gun to the
outside of the mast would shrink back the foam enough to pull it out.
Sounds like quite a job ... good luck!

Peter
#1331 'Sin Tacha'
 
S

stevebirch2002

.
Nov 8, 2001
1,818
Hi

Personally I wouldnt worry abouit the inside of the mast corroding. Only corrosion I have seen on Vega masts is right at the foot where cutting 1/2" off the bottom cures that.

Cheers

Steve B
 
W

wxt8981

.
Oct 31, 2019
562
I agree with Steve. Aluminium (or aluminum as they say it in the US) doesn't (really) rust- it does, but the rust prevents further rusting (the white film you might see). This is opposite from a ferrous metal, where rust enhances more rusting (corrosion).
Wilhelm, V-257

Steve Birch steve@... wrote: Hi

Personally I wouldnt worry abouit the inside of the mast corroding. Only corrosion I have seen on Vega masts is right at the foot where cutting 1/2" off the bottom cures that.

Cheers

Steve B
 
S

SVFlyAway

.
Oct 31, 2019
303
You are so right that aluminum isn't affected much by the environment,
especially by freshwater which this probably is. Though if it was kept in
freezing temps, with water trapped, I might be a little more nervous. I
would do something to keep water from being trapped inside in the future
though.



I'd like to add one comment about the mast lasting seemingly forever - they
don't. We replaced many when I worked at the rigging shop. The Vega I bought
had significant cracks at the hounds (where the spreaders attach). I knew
this when I bought it from the survey and thought I might be able to fix it
with some welding (worse case a new mast). Well when we got the mast down
the damage was significant.



The spreader attachments were virtually powder in places. The mast was so
damaged we would have had to cut 2 feet out of it as it couldn't be repaired
even with a sleeve. I considered all that and finally opted for the worse
case and had a new mast built in Canada. I can say it wasn't cheap at all
and with all the new rigging and a couple new sails. But, I know exactly
what I have up there and that is a very good thing. The new mast is really
magnificent I must say. It should be -- Brion Toss is my rigger.



Bottom line: inspect your mast and rigging routinely using die if you at all
suspect any problems. I've been in races and have seen masts fold and come
down - it is a most frightening experience and a dangerous one too boot.



From: AlbinVega@yahoogroups.com [mailto:AlbinVega@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf
Of WL
Sent: Sunday, November 04, 2007 11:21 AM
To: AlbinVega@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [AlbinVega] Mast corrosion



I agree with Steve. Aluminium (or aluminum as they say it in the US) doesn't
(really) rust- it does, but the rust prevents further rusting (the white
film you might see). This is opposite from a ferrous metal, where rust
enhances more rusting (corrosion).
Wilhelm, V-257

Steve Birch steve@... mailto:steve%40albinvega.com wrote: Hi

Personally I wouldnt worry abouit the inside of the mast corroding. Only
corrosion I have seen on Vega masts is right at the foot where cutting 1/2"
off the bottom cures that.

Cheers

Steve B
 
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