Mast Damage, how serious?

Scott2 · Apr 20, 2010

I have a 1993 H23.5 that I am now parting out. The balsa wood core is nearly dissolved from being wet and the hull is cracked. It would take three times as much as the boat is worth to repair so she is going to the bone yard.

Hence my point. I have a mast with no boat. It is in great shape and wired for a VHF antenna on the top. would you like to discuss?

Scott

luckylpllpl · Apr 20, 2010

had that happen to my mast also. In fact it failed! Luckily I wasn't sailing at the time. The fix was to weld plates on both sides and it is now stronger than new. That area is a high stress area and I believe it is common for cracking/fatigue whatever you want to call it.

seadaddler · Apr 21, 2010

Profile

Key on each others profile and if you entered your contact info should pop
up and easy to contact each other.
That's great that he has a mast for you and this why this forum is so great,sailors of all types of boats come here.
Nick

FourPoints · Apr 21, 2010

pkdailey4 said:
X2. This makes much more sense. Unless snow load means the boat has been hit by an avalanche. I dont think an insurance co. would find that to be repairable and will not insure that repair for a second go around. It would be a de-masting waiting to happen. It's time for a new stick. My 2 cents.

I concur, looking close you can clearly see the forward side of the spreader has been pulled out and the aft side pushed in... It's also curious to note that the forward side has bolts in it and not the standard rivits that US Spars normally installs, like on the aft side... I suspect this damage is not new and someone "fixed" it once by trying to pull the spreader back into place with a set of bolts.

You should contact US Spars, the guys there are very helpful, and shipping is not as expensive as you'd think... I just had a new spinnaker pole and rigid vang shipped freight up from them a few weeks ago up to CT, shipping was $150. the mast for that boat should still fit in a regular semi trailer like my shipment was, so your shipping cost won't be that outrageous.

-edit- I commented before reading the last page, congratulations on finding a used mast, just be careful to inspect it for stress indicators at the same spots before buying it.

Sea Dragon · Apr 22, 2010

Mast Damage.
I have the same problem. I am going to see if i can get it welded and a plate plate put on.
Let me know how you get yours fixed.
Thanks Dean

jorgefife · Apr 22, 2010

Just saw your distressed call for help find a mast
Try this number: Gary (832) 297- 4718
Tell him you are a friend of Jorge, who goes to his salvage yard every week
There are a couple of Hunters in that yard, you may be lucky
Then tell me what he quoted, I may get it cheaper
I can help you with the shipping
Don't worry, my services are free; happy to help if I can
There are about 40 boats, tell him what size mast you need, maybe you can get the mast from another boat
I myself get plenty of help from this forum; I have a H33 (1982) which have been restoring

jorgefife · Apr 22, 2010

Phone Gary at 832- 297- 4718
Tell him you are a friend of Jorge
I visit his yard almost every Friday
Let me know what he says, I may squeeze him for a better price, whatever he says
Happy to help

DannyS · Apr 22, 2010

Could you build a cradle on the trailer that could support the mast an allow it to hang off the back? It may have to be tall enough to allow the mast to ride above the back of your vehicle as well. 30 foot mast minus a 16 foot trailer = 7 feet hanging over the front and back of the trailer. That could work.

Rick Webb · Apr 22, 2010

I have Move my Mast Around on the Boat Trailer

I think I proped it up on the ladder not sure but I definitlly used the boat trailer.

kenkindy1 · Apr 22, 2010

Pine Trees at LMSA

Hi Lynnie,

The pine trees are getting awfully thick down at LMSA now. I'm in slip A6. It's hard to remember not to stay on the right side of the drive on the way back from the launch ramp.

Lynnie said:
Hello All, Thanks again for all the info and help. I think it shows that good people sail, or, that sailing draws good people.

I think I now know what caused my mast damage. (I didn't come up with this myself, another member at my sailing club shared this thought) There are pine trees overhanging the drive into the facility and I got into those pine trees last fall on the day I was taking the boat out. I think they have grown significantly in the last few years and I was cold and tired that day and not paying close enough attention. And the trees are trimmed down low however up high they hang over really seriously, more seriously than they used to as well. The trees are on the starboard side, as I was driving forward the spreader would have been pushed back, and I think that is what happened. My son and I just didn't notice it when we took the mast down. Stupid, stupid mistake on my part, and just sucks all around.

I called US Spar yesterday and spoke with Rick. I have determined that I cannot afford a new mast. I emailed Rick my pictures and he was going to take a look and advise, however I did not hear back from him. Today I called again and Rick is not available, and I was directed to email my pics to Julian, so did that and now plan to call back again late this afternoon.

I thought I could transport the mast on a car hauler I have, however I got out the tape measure and that is not going to work. The car hauler is 16 feet long and the mast is about 30 feet. So, I am going to have to ship it somehow, where ever I get it from, or however I get it repaired if that is an option. Or look around for a longer trailer to rent, or something.

Hope everyone is having a nice day!

Thanks again, Lynnie

DougM · Apr 22, 2010

I agree that the mast should be replaced. Although is looks like something that freeze damage would cause, I don't think that was the cause as any expansion would have ample room without causing a pressure split. In any case that would blow outward, not in. That looks more like an external hit. I would not totally rule out the possibility that there is a weak spot in the extrusion however.

fox islander · Apr 24, 2010

I'd look for a used replacement. Of course my father-in-law would simply wrap it in a wad of duct tape as big as my head and be good to go...after a squirt of WD-40 of course.