Mast indent at spreader

[Fortyeighter]

I purchased an 82 Standard rig Catalina 30, had a survey and all looked well. A rigging company was ready to step the mast yesterday and found an indent where the spreader bracket meets the mast. The indent was perhaps an 1/8th of an inch, difficult to detect. The rigger decided that, for liability reasons, he would not step the mast. The boat is already launched sitting in a slip where it was to be stepped. Has anyone else run into or heard of this issue? It appears that it may have happened by overtightening the lower shrouds.
More importantly, has anyone had experience in repairing a mast? What are my options for replacement? The boat is located on Buzzards Bay in Fairhaven, MA.
Thanks in advance for your help.

 

[Anonymous 121765]

48'r
If I recall, there should be an internal stiffening plate inside the mast at the spreaders for added support against compression from forces by rigging tension, also from additional forces under sail load. I would first call Catalina, here's their web site.
http://www.catalinayachts.com/

look for the direct number at the bottomof the web page. Call & ask for Kent in engineering. Tell him what you have. He's very knowledgeable.
and can let you know if there is a history of problems/fixes.

good luck

CR