Bent mast

[Boatless_One]

I may be getting back on the water again!

I have been looking at a Centaur, and all seems well except there is a slight sideways bend in the mast at about spreader height. I can't see any creasing or kinking of the metal, just this slight elongated S shape.

Should I be worried by this?

Any advice much appreciated.

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[boatless]

Well Hi - welcome - obviously I have to answer this one...

It is probably caused by incorrect tension in lower and cap shrouds, but you won't know until the tensions are completely eased. If it straightens up, it's fine, if it stays then it's bad news.

I have had a mast with a manufacturing fault in the extrusion that gave it an odd kink, but tension is the probable cause in yours.


<hr width=100% size=1>my opinion is complete rubbish, probably.

 

[boatless]

ps. Does this make me boatless zero? And is this not worse than being simply boatless?

<hr width=100% size=1>my opinion is complete rubbish, probably.

 

[William_H]

Take some spanners to the boat and firstly release tension on the inners if there is still a slight bend see what you can do to take it out with adjusting tension on the inners or cap shrouds. A slight bend which can be taken out is probably ok but obviously if you can't get the bend out someone is up for a new mast if it is you that may be ok if the price is right but get some prices for a new mast first. if the owner or agent doesn't want you to adjust the rigging then you take a real risk. regards will

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[FullCircle]

I had my mast successfully straightened this year by applying diamond shaped strips of mast extrusion rivetted over the bent area, which, like yours was bent at the spreaders area. This was done with the mast on trestles with a weight to straighten it, and then added plates/strips to either side. This straightened it. Looks good and will last. Can get pictures if you want. My local rigger did it for me. Cost about 250-275 quid.

Jim D



<hr width=100% size=1>Second Chance - First Love. Look for the Yellow Dinghy in Burnham.