Mast damage

[Southern Crux]

Well I had an unfortunate accident yesterday when raising the mast. The raising pole bent inside the mast which in turn damaged the mast. I will post photos but wondering if it would be possible to make a new hole where the crack ends and put more reinforcing over the damage? Or would the damage cause structural weakness and possibly collapse when under load to make the mask a write off?

@Crazy Dave Condon sent you an email yesterday too.

 

[Southern Crux]

This is a H23.5 mast

 

[CrispyCringle]

That looks pretty done to me. How did that happen? Im sure you can put some sort of patch on it, but I wouldn't feel good about it.

 

[Crazy Dave Condon]

Structurally integrity has been jeopardized. Replace mast

 

[Southern Crux]

That’s what I was afraid of. Now to see what the quote on replacement and shipping will be. Many thanks!

 

[CrispyCringle]

You may be able to get a salvaged mast. It takes some searching though. And I believe there are at least two different manufacturers. I think you can get some good info by calling the hunter parts store on this website. Or Crazy Dave may be able to tell the difference.

 

[Southern Crux]

Requested a quote from US Spar as soon as the damage occurred . Hoping my insurance will cover and won’t write the boat off. If they do, I’ll take the hit as I love the sailboat. I’ve also had a quick look around for a mast with no luck.

 

[Allan12210]

It is interesting that the mast in that area has a second piece riveted to the primary mast. The portion below the hole looks ok. But if you could drill the rivets out and remove that overlay piece to inspect it that may give some insight into a possible repair. Drill the rivets from the hinged portion. Consider a machine shop cutting a rectangular opening with rounded corners spanning the damage and having a formed piece inserted inside and welded around the opening. Make it short enough to put the hinged base back inside. Then fill the step with another formed piece making it flush to the original surface and weld. Form a new outer piece to rivet on like the current one, only a little longer. Drill, rivet and then drill for your lifting pole. It could be stronger than the original as it would be triple thickness. I know you don't want to give up on your boat. Just trying some ideas if all else fails.

 

[Crazy Dave Condon]

@Allan12210

The Hunter 23.5 plans were given to Hunter by me and that plate you referenced to was for reinforcing the hole in the mast used in a mast raising system designed by me. As a Hunter dealer, I introduced this boat and was the top seller

The left side of the phots show the reinforcement plate being pulled inward causing a difference height. The tear above that plate shows the mast being pulled apart. There is no liner made for the inside and outside of that mast. Welding would not help. The owner and I spoke about this issue and suggested two people who could assist in replacing that mast.
Crazy Dave