My mast was recently destroyed by hurricane Wilma. The factory where it is made is in California and I live in Florida. The boat factory will not ship a mast to me. I know I cannot be the only person to have lost a mast and needed one shipped a considerable distance. The mast is about 30' long for a 2006 MacGregor 26M, but my question is, what resources are there to pickup and deliver a mast?
Shipping masts
- Thread starter George Schlossnagle
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My dad just had the same problem
My dad's mast was not damaged by a natural disaster, but was bent in half just like yours. He went to the local MacGregor dealer and a new mast was delivered the next time the local dealer got a new boat.
My dad's mast was not damaged by a natural disaster, but was bent in half just like yours. He went to the local MacGregor dealer and a new mast was delivered the next time the local dealer got a new boat.
sails up thru hurricane?
Please tell me if I am seeing what I'm seeing. Is that your sail hanging over the bow rail? Now I know why my insurance rates are so high. Did Wilma surprise you? Caught you off guard? Why did you leave the sail up thru the hurricane ? Just wondering
Please tell me if I am seeing what I'm seeing. Is that your sail hanging over the bow rail? Now I know why my insurance rates are so high. Did Wilma surprise you? Caught you off guard? Why did you leave the sail up thru the hurricane ? Just wondering
Good Plan
Sounds like the factory does not want to sell direct and by-pass the dealer. You have a couple of choices on the mast. They ship complete masts with new boats, you probably don't need a complete mast. Many of the fittings and much of the rigging are probably fine. All you need to do is get a new mast tube and transfer parts from the old mast to the new one. Most boat builders buy the masts from a mast company. Find out what company built the mast, and try ordering from them. The mast tube is about $125. The difference in price between a tube and a complete mast is the price of the fittings and labor to build the mast.
Sounds like the factory does not want to sell direct and by-pass the dealer. You have a couple of choices on the mast. They ship complete masts with new boats, you probably don't need a complete mast. Many of the fittings and much of the rigging are probably fine. All you need to do is get a new mast tube and transfer parts from the old mast to the new one. Most boat builders buy the masts from a mast company. Find out what company built the mast, and try ordering from them. The mast tube is about $125. The difference in price between a tube and a complete mast is the price of the fittings and labor to build the mast.
Sails left on furler
All my sails were stowed with the exception of the genoa which was on a furler. Many of the boats at the marina leave the furler on, and there is some damage occasionally with ripped sails. Mine was a new sail and the boat was never used. I hadn't gotten it in the water yet as I have it tied up in a slip. Last year we were hit directly by two hurricanes on the East Coast, I had no problem. I know this sounds like excuses, but in Central Florida on the East Coast we were only expecting tropical winds. I believe my mistakes were to make an assumption about the hurricane strenght as we had many accompanying tornados, I didn't have the furler wrapped tight enough, and I should have wrapped it with bungee cords or other lines. With Charlie last year hitting the West side of the state, it was only tropical when it finally arrived. and we had no problems. Just secured the rigging and modified the dock lines. Anyway, next time I will wrap the genoa more tightly if I don't have time to take it down completely. With the furler, I wasn't sure how to remove the sail without lowering the mast. So you can see, I have a lot to learn. I have been sailing for two years. I enjoy it, but it is a continual learning process.
All my sails were stowed with the exception of the genoa which was on a furler. Many of the boats at the marina leave the furler on, and there is some damage occasionally with ripped sails. Mine was a new sail and the boat was never used. I hadn't gotten it in the water yet as I have it tied up in a slip. Last year we were hit directly by two hurricanes on the East Coast, I had no problem. I know this sounds like excuses, but in Central Florida on the East Coast we were only expecting tropical winds. I believe my mistakes were to make an assumption about the hurricane strenght as we had many accompanying tornados, I didn't have the furler wrapped tight enough, and I should have wrapped it with bungee cords or other lines. With Charlie last year hitting the West side of the state, it was only tropical when it finally arrived. and we had no problems. Just secured the rigging and modified the dock lines. Anyway, next time I will wrap the genoa more tightly if I don't have time to take it down completely. With the furler, I wasn't sure how to remove the sail without lowering the mast. So you can see, I have a lot to learn. I have been sailing for two years. I enjoy it, but it is a continual learning process.
Shipment of mast
I contacted the dealer. That is what he has recommended. I may just have to be patient. Even with shipment to a dealer to the Southeast, I will need to transport the mast the Patrick AFB. If the delivery is reasonably close, I can tow my boat the the pick up point and put it on the boat.
I contacted the dealer. That is what he has recommended. I may just have to be patient. Even with shipment to a dealer to the Southeast, I will need to transport the mast the Patrick AFB. If the delivery is reasonably close, I can tow my boat the the pick up point and put it on the boat.
Shipping
Contact the mast maker and see if they would ship the mast to your marina, to a rigging shop, or to some other commercial address.
Contact the mast maker and see if they would ship the mast to your marina, to a rigging shop, or to some other commercial address.
My new mast
I had to replace my mast. What I did, I contacted Dwyer Aluminum Mast Co. (maker of my mast) and ordered the mast extrusion and some standing rigging $1800. I had it delevered to where I work. It was 35 ft long, brought my boat to work and placed the extrusion on the boat and took it home to work on. Tranfered all the fitting from the old mast to the new. Took about a weekend to get it right. Recommened a drebble tool and a jig saw with many blades. Measure 10 times and cut once. A can do project. John S/V Baums Rush, Hunter 260
I had to replace my mast. What I did, I contacted Dwyer Aluminum Mast Co. (maker of my mast) and ordered the mast extrusion and some standing rigging $1800. I had it delevered to where I work. It was 35 ft long, brought my boat to work and placed the extrusion on the boat and took it home to work on. Tranfered all the fitting from the old mast to the new. Took about a weekend to get it right. Recommened a drebble tool and a jig saw with many blades. Measure 10 times and cut once. A can do project. John S/V Baums Rush, Hunter 260
Sorry
You've had a rough time, but you have a beautiful boat. If there is such a thing as reincarnation, I'd like to come back as a blue sailboat.
You've had a rough time, but you have a beautiful boat. If there is such a thing as reincarnation, I'd like to come back as a blue sailboat.
Shipping Mast
This is a problem. Although strong when rigged, the mast is fairly fragile. Most truck cargo is hangled several times. When I lost my mast, the factory shipped to dealer - arrived with a big dent in the middle, had to reorder. Let the dealer take the risk.
This is a problem. Although strong when rigged, the mast is fairly fragile. Most truck cargo is hangled several times. When I lost my mast, the factory shipped to dealer - arrived with a big dent in the middle, had to reorder. Let the dealer take the risk.
Blue Sail Boat - First Generation
This is actually my second blue sail boat. Take a look at her under sail.
This is actually my second blue sail boat. Take a look at her under sail.
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