Need a new mast - suddenly

[david42]

So,

I decided to take the gooseneck fitting off the mast to check on the state of the aluminium beneath and there wasn't any, well not enough to hold the sails up anyway. The local riggers and a surveyor both agree that it's beyond repair so Take Five now needs a new mast. I only just found out and I think I'm in shock. Having survived the fractured skin fitting disaster of last summer I was kind of hoping that this winters refit would be a simple one!

The riggers are getting me a couple of quotes but I was wondering if any of you forumites have any ideas about how to do this er.....cheaply. The mast is around 40' long, keel stepped.

Do you think I could get anything of the surveyor who did the survey when I bought her in May last year?

By the way if anyone needs a black anodised mast that's about 32 foot long just let me know. I'm sure I can saw the old one off above the rot!

David

 

[cameronke]

You could try to get the extrusion only and then use all fitting and fixtures from old mast.

Cameron

 

[Strathglass]

The lowest cost option is to buy a mast kit.

I got one recently from Sailspar. They come in various states of assembly from an undrilled pole and a bundle of fittings up to a fully finished mast. Speak to David Beach at www.sailspar.com.

An alternative is Zspars who also give a very good service.

There are other manufacturers but I found their prices either excessive or the knowledge of their local agents agents worying very limited.

Cheers

Iain

 

[snowleopard]

try putting this query on PBO. there was a thread a few months ago about repairing a mast.

i have a friend who got a new section put on the bottom of his mast at a fraction of the price of a new one.

 

[Talulah]

We put together the mast on the previous boat from a kit. 40 foot extrusion. It took 2 days to put everything together and the finished job was very satisfying. I would do it again.

 

[FullCircle]

My rigger repaired my mast at the spreaders last year with extrusion sections cut from a bigger mast, cut to shape over a large area, and then adhesively bonded, and monel rivetted. Looks good, and is very strong. Seems a shame to throw away an entire mast for a bit of rot.
Also seen sleeved masts repaired on racing boats.

 

[ShipsWoofy]

Not trying to disagree, but the loads at the gooseneck must be fairly high.

I am not sure I would like a sleeve that low down on the mast. Though it is prolly more fear on my behalf than actual problem.

 

[Coppershield]

Find a naval architect

Hi,
As it has been mentioned before forces in this area will be quite high. But from Your description does not sound like it's a very big area.
How is the rest of the mast? If rest of the mast is in good shape. You may consider taking photographs and discussing it with naval architect if he can design a welded on gooseneck fitting and if it will be acceptable for normal engineering practices. If the answer is positive, ask to see if he knows a very good certified welder and before You proceed explain to Your insurance representative what You're considering doing. Better yet , ask Your representatives to recommend a respected naval architect in Your area and proceed cautiously it should not be a big problem but You be the judge since You are the one that's going to be under the mast.
This is only a suggestion from a distance, in a nutshell I am suggesting You take another opinion from a local professional naval architect.
Hope everything works out for You good luck.
Muzaffer

PS of course , You will have to consider how to refinish.
custom mast manufacturer if there's one locally available may be of great help(they usually don't just bolt on things but actually make custom gooseneck and winch pads etc. that is welded on and fared)

 

[clouty]

PM\'d

you.

 

[david42]

Re: PM\'d

Well it looks as though there's also some corrosion under the spreader bases so I'm not sure about repairing the old mast.

I'm going to get a second opinion anyway just in case.

I'm off down the marina today to see what can be salvaged and then measure up and put together a spec for the new spar (this could be the opportunity to deal with a few things that niggled me about the old set up) then I'm going to try Sailspar and Zspars and see what the riggers come up with (they're a Selden agent/dealer - gulp!).

I'm feeling a bit lucky as well because when I told SWMBO about the news she hardly flinched at all, in fact she got right behind it. After all the problems we had with Take Five last season I was expecting SWMBO to 'strongly suggest' that the old boat be given her marching orders.

Looks like we got away with it again, now all I need to do is find a way to finance all this.

David

 

[pragmatist]

Re: PM\'d

It all sounds very dramatic and scary - how old is the mast/boat ?

 

[david42]

Re: PM\'d

Well Take Five was built in 1978 and I have no reason (ie receipts etc) to believe that the mast is any younger!

Maybe 27 years is a good age for an aly pole.

Davide