Holes in aluminum mast

[Ben Woodford]

I just have a quick question and am not sure who exactly to ask. I don’t want to spend 1000$ on a survey to figure out I have issues.

I’m thinking about purchasing this sailboat and noticed these holes drilled in the mast. Does a cluster of holes like this comprise the structural integrity of the mast or are they small enough that it isn’t an issue?

I was also wondering what something like this might be from? I didn’t go up the mast so was unable to inspect.

 

[Ben Woodford]

Here is the picture.

 

[Neeves]

It looks as if the mast is in 2 pieces. Normally there would be a matching sleeve inside the mast and the two mast sections riveted to the sleeve, much like the pattern of holes. A joint like this would not be unusual. Your photo seems to indicate they forgot the rivets.

I did wonder if there was an illusion of holes and that what we are looking at is rivets. I assume they are holes - difficult to be conclusive from the image.

I lost a mast in the Phillipines and had the mast supplier send me a sleeve which was slightly oversize. But split, down the length. We hammered it in to the top, smaller diameter, section and the bottom section fitted neatly. The 3 pieces were then riveted and it took us back to HK, allowed completion of a further series of races whilst waiting for the new mast to arrive. I've seen a similar joint on new masts (I now look at these things )

If you are considering purchase I assume you will have a surveyor inspect her - point out your concerns to him and see what he says.

Jonathan

 

[jlavery]

I agree with @Neeves. Joining mast sections like this with a sleeve and rivets is common - my mast has exactly this joint. However, it does appear that the rivets are missing! If the sleeve is well located internally, it may not be a problem - as the mast is in compression.

However, I'd get a surveyor to look at it.

 

[B27]

Those are either black rivets or much bigger holes than I'd expect!

 

[doug748]

Unless you make special arrangements the surveyor will not go up the mast anyway, you would need to employ a rigger I might see if I could inspect it myself, with a glass, to check for any deformation or possible cracks, you would need to get agreement and get yourself up there, which may be a problem. I am pretty certain you will find it is riveted, If for some bizarre reason it is not, forget the boat.

My guess, however, is that the mast has been up a long time and it would be fine, if it was an expensive boat I would be more equivocal. The rivet spacing looks ok - a working rule of thumb is 4 * the dia of the rivet min.

.

 

[Concerto]

Welcome to the forum.

This is the bottom section of my mast. It looks strange but every Westerly Fulmar has the joint at this position. My boat was built in 1980 and the original mast broke in 1996 and this is the replacement mast.

 

[pandos]

I have a similar join in my mast but it is just a few feet above the deck. I'd say get better photos and see if there are indeed rivets. Maybe put your phone up on a halyard!. If there are no rivets run away...

also check the overall height of the mast. And compare with maybe the manufacturers site or other owners to see if the mast has been shortened after a broken or deformed section was cut out.

 

[dunedin]

Yes Concerto that did worry me about our Fulmar - but was indeed standard for that boat type - AND fully riveted.

For the OP might be worth stating boat make / model to ascertain if as standard or a (botched?) repair after a break.
Also should be easy enough to get up to that height on a cheap bosuns chair.
To me - no rivets = no buy!

 

[jlavery]

This is Arpeggio's join, 10 feet above the deck (keel stepped mast).

From a distance, they look like holes, but there are rivets there.


So a closer look should reveal all!

 

[roaringgirl]

Our mast is built of 2 sections, riveted just as others have said. If there are no rivets, walk away.

 

[Neeves]

If there are no rivets then, as said, it might appear that the mast has survived without them. I'd also suggest adding rivets is not a major task and could be completed as is.

The mast in fact is in the perfect location/position to rivet as the mast is under compression. If there are no rivets - there must be a sleeve and to add rivets will demand knowing how thick the total wall is. It will demand hefty rivets which will also demand a hefty rivet gun (or whatever)

If I was keen I'd make a really big thing about the absence of rivets, negotiate a decent reduction, and then replace.

I would not walk away.

Jonathan

 

[penfold]

Ockham suggests there are rivets. Good grief.

 

[john_morris_uk]

Our mast is also in two sections and is joined in this way. Except our join is above the spreaders. I’ve never given it more than a few seconds thought. It’s how many masts are made.



And my money is that there are rivets in those ‘holes’ in the OP’s post.