Proctor Masts

[robmcg]

Just looked at a couple of boats both with Proctor masts. Both seemed to have had the mast internally sleeved and bonded back together with pop rivets. I assumed that a standard deck stepped mast would be one piece and if it is joined (at about boom level on both) it would be an indication of previous failure or stress fracturing. Would I be right? Any mast experts out there? Thanks all /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[Strathglass]

Not necessary.

Depends on the size of the yacht and the budget it was built under.

Masts are sometimes made from two parts riveted together.

This can reduce mast section transport costs if the sections are shipped before joining them together.

Iain

 

[sailorman]

in the uk the anodizing baths were about 30 ft long, this dictated the length of a mast section that could be anodized. the Germans could do longer lengths

 

[jerryat]

Yep, agree with Sailorman. When my mast was built (1984) manufacturing of extrusions was limited to around forty feet, so anything over that had to be sleeved and rivetted.

No problems and arguably stronger than a normal section!

 

[retsina]

My previous yacht, a Bruce Roberts 30, had a very nice Proctor mast, 36ft. However, there was an incident and the mast broke at about 6 ft above deck level. I took the mast to Proctors and they connected the two pieces together with an internal sleeve and rivets. They did an excellent job. I therefore think that the mast you are reffering to, has been repaired. However, if it has been repaired properly there is nothing to worry about.

 

[sailorman]

Procters still manufacture in Breskens Holland

 

[yoda]

Mine is also sleeved and rivited and has been from new. Just the way they were made I suspect.

yoda