mast repair

[cropduster60]

I had a small issue lowering the mast. Had main sheet backwards when lowering mast and when the mast went over center the line was locked in the cam cleat. Need less to say mast kept going and gin pole stayed put and split the mast where the gin pole goes into mast.
Am wondering if ok to weld and fix or if anyone has suggestions other than replacing the whole mast.
Thanks

 

[Crazy Dave Condon]

First, a photo of the damaged mast is a must. Please post. In addition, this is a situation you do not play around with when coming to repairs. I know the 240 oh too well as I introduced it, nearly purchased 25% of the production line and so on. In fact why don't you send me a photo direct with contact information and we can discuss. davecondon@mindspring.com

 

[cropduster60]

OK Dave will do.
Thanks

 

[Crazy Dave Condon]

Photos were sent and I suggested that he post them. In one photo, it clearly shows the mast was previously damaged and welded. The reinforcement plate was not fully centered either. It also appears the mast had been sanded somewhat. In addition to the crack which is serious going too far above the hole, it appears the upper portion of the mast was malformed although there is no indentation. Although the owner purchased a new reinforcement plate, he was advised I would not recommend repairs as the mast integrity above the hole has been jeopardized. Persoanally I would not repair being cautious for safety of those on board should that area of the mast fail and I have seen it several times fail with damage like that. Since I have not heard back, I would tend to think he is not interested what I said. I suggested he post the photos and get other opinions.

 

[cropduster60]

Sorry Dave for not responding on the forum I am interested in your advise I pm you.
Thanks, cropduster60

 

[Crazy Dave Condon]

You are welcome sir but do post the photos.

 

[cropduster60]

Gin pole and mast issues demasting a hunter 240

 

[Brian M H23]

From a mechanical engineer here, the only way to I'd fix that and feel good about it at all involves getting a 2-3' heavy wall insert formed to fit inside the mast and hammer it in there.

On my 23, I never used a gin pole. It only helps with the first bit anyway, while it's still low enough to lift by hand

 

[cropduster60]

Thanks for the input. That hadn't even crossed my mind.
I do think I have figured out what I've been doing wrong. I don't think there's a problem with the process just the operator.

 

[Crazy Dave Condon]

Only if you knew how I learned and sometimes the costly mistakes. That included masts and booms which is why based on experience why I suggested replacing. No inserts are made to accomoate that mast.

Brain; People tried your approach which does not work an in one case the mast failed. When hammering too, you could also hurt the integrity of the mast wall. I have seen that done. I would err on the side of safety. I have been up a mast to replace a wind vane only to find that the mast had been drilled so many times by the owner under the spreaders when he tried to add lights, the mast failed and I fell several slips over nearly killing myself. Like I said, no sleeves are available and trying your approach has been done without success.

again cropduster, I will be glad to help on instruction as I wrote the book on this onel

 

[cropduster60]

Thanks Dave.
I think you have all put the fear of God in me on this one. I think I'll be replacing the mast with a new one.
Is us spares the place to go for a new mast?
Again thanks to everyone for the imput.

 

[Fred]

Cropduster, I am very sorry for your loss! Hopefully nobody got hurt in the process.

To avoid similar carnage in the future, I was attempting to visualize what you did wrong from the original description. I'm not sure that I understand the error in your process. Was the jib halyard not fastened correctly?

 

[cropduster60]

Fred
I had the cleat on the main sheet placed boat side so that the line would cleat off(1st mistake) as we were going down and before I could get it uncleated the mast went over center and the gin pole was cleated off. Gin pole stayed put mast kept going something had to give.
I did have the jib halyard attached to gin pole but not cleated off not sure that would have made any difference in this situation. I think all I need to do is swap mainsheat end for end so it doesn't cleat off so easily and make it so hard to uncleate and that should fix my issues.

 

[Fred]

Sorry cropduster, I still don't understand. The jib halyard needs to be cleated at the bitter end (onto a mast mounted cleat) and the shackle end needs to be connected to the gin pole so that the gin pole is held firmly approximately perpendicular to the mast. The main sheet should connect between the gin pole and the bow attachment point. The main sheet clam cleat / block should be at the bow end. As the main sheet is played out the gin pole remains perpendicular with the mast as the mast comes down.

With this arrangement and with the baby stays connected I don't see how the mast could be damaged as shown.

Perhaps I am missing something.

 

[Brian M H23]

He had it backwards - gin pole fixed and jib halyard able to run. I did a similar thing once, I hadn't unpinned my mast base. I lucked out and just sheared some rivets

 

[Fred]

Ah... That's the way my Mac/Ven 25 was set up. The gin pole was fixed but instead of using the halyard there was a separate line attached to a bail on the mast. The gin pole was attached to the mast step, not the mast. In many ways I preferred that setup as I am always wary of the tension on the jib halyard, sheave and hardware on the hunter arrangement.

 

[Crazy Dave Condon]

cropduster;

resend your email to me direct and I will call and go over mast raising. I Know the system and wrote the book on it. Kermit learned a few tricks from me in the process.

Fred; If you are in the country or Canada, I will call and go over the mast raising with you as well.

 

[Fred]

Thanks for the offer Dave. I have successfully raised and lowered the mast several times now and it seems to get easier each time. the main thing will be to keep all the lines and shackles in good shape. You have offered good advice on this procedure in regards to several of my previous posts. Thans

 

[Crazy Dave Condon]

Fred;

You are welcome but any offer for help is still there sir.

Had a long discussion with Cropduster today and he plans to replace the mast. He is going to let me know the mast mfg. and if unable to determine, he will get me some information to determine the mast mfg. I have offered to help in any way and he will somehow take me up on muy offer in one way or another.

Like I said, I am glad to help as I feel I should as I was so blessed with many friends that I have made and God was good to me.