A dint in mast

[tomdmx]

Hello, in my journey to either fix my wooden mast or replace I found a possible replacement..its pretty much same length (including boom) as my wooden one (which is just shy of 10m) but it has a slight dent on one side near the track (but not affecting it) near the top about half a meter from the top. The dent is only on one side and its a dent, not a bend if that makes sense.

So the question is would it affect overall mast performance/safety etc...we are intending to cross an ocean but I was advised from one source that its not a big deal and aluminium is much better than wood...

 

[Searush]

Put a damp cloth & a hot iron over the dent. Steam will make the fibres expand & most of the dent will disappear. Use a decent wood filler to level out the final bit. I doubt it will have much impact on its strength, especially as it is so high up where there is relatively little force applied anyway..

 

[Stork_III]

Put a damp cloth & a hot iron over the dent. Steam will make the fibres expand & most of the dent will disappear. Use a decent wood filler to level out the final bit. I doubt it will have much impact on its strength, especially as it is so high up where there is relatively little force applied anyway..

I didn't know that worked with aluminium as well as wood, thanks.

 

[tomdmx]

Sorry should clarify, the potential replacement is an alu mast

 

[saltylegs]

A photo would help if poss.

 

[Seajet]

I can understand Searushes' confusion, it took me a few reads after it was sorted to work it out !

Some excellent tips there anyway thanks Steve, I have a couple of wooden masts in the garage...

 

[William_H]

Replacement mast

I would go for the replacement Ali mast.The top of the mast will not be subject to great loads of failure in compression or out of column because it is close to the top. ie presumably near where the shrouds support it. Just ignore the dent. But do check for corrosion under all fittings. good luck olewill