Shortenig/ Repairing the mast - Etap 23

[Nina Lucia]

We have just bought little Etap 23 with slightly damaged foot of the mast and top as well. About 5cm on both of ends. How to repair it?
Shorten it? But than we have to shorten the standing rigging and boom will be hitting sprayhood or add damaged bits, How?

 

[Thistle]

Cut off damaged sections and sleeve in replacements to return the mast to its original length.

 

[knuterikt]

We have just bought little Etap 23 with slightly damaged foot of the mast and top as well. About 5cm on both of ends. How to repair it?
Shorten it? But than we have to shorten the standing rigging and boom will be hitting sprayhood or add damaged bits, How?

To little information..
But as you write shortening the mast is not a good idea.
Contact one ore more riggers for advice, it might be possible to reinforce the mast..

 

[Nina Lucia]

Thanks, what other details would you need regarding mast damage?

 

[Poignard]

Some years ago I had an aluminium collar welded around the foot of my mast by a firm in Chichester Marina. They made a very good job of it. I don't know the name of the firm, or if they are still there, but they were subcontracted to Holman Rigging, who collected the mast from Gosport.

http://www.holmanrigging.co.uk/index1.html

 

[Nina Lucia]

Thanks, how to sleeve the mast, are they any parts available? aluminium for mast?

 

[PhillM]

We had a short crack above a screw hole in the base of the mast. We also had some sag in the coach roof under the mast. We reinforced under the coach roof and added a 20mm block to both spread the weight and replace the bottom of the mast we removed. All done professionally. Note Paean is wooden not grp, so different, but the idea is similar.

 

[Nina Lucia]

Thanks Parsifal,
I will call them tomorrow.

 

[Egbod]

Hi, There was an Etap 23 mast for sale in Essex last year. I will try to sort out the sellers phone number.

 

[Nina Lucia]

Thanks,I would really gratefull

 

[VicS]

Thanks,I would really gratefull

If a replacement mast does not come your way can you cut the damage from top and bottom and refit the fittings and then fit a wooden block under the mast as PhilM suggests to make up for the loss of length.

Photographs showing the end fittings and the damage would have been valuable "other details"

 

[William_H]

If a replacement mast does not come your way can you cut the damage from top and bottom and refit the fittings and then fit a wooden block under the mast as PhilM suggests to make up for the loss of length.

Photographs showing the end fittings and the damage would have been valuable "other details"

Quite so Vic. However OP need to decide from checking the existing mast erected. Can you tighten the bottle screws so use existing side stays? Do the stays need replacing on age anyway? If you don't want to replace the stays then shortening and reterminating the swage will give longer life as this is where stays usually fail. Can you shorten the top and still have room for the main sail luff? (remove any shackle on hallyard. may give a few cms) Without moving the gooseneck.
It is all about cribbing those few centimetres. Certainly not a case for replacing the mast. good luck olewill

 

[Nina Lucia]

Thanks, so many good tips, I do like to keep existing mast and as you said maybe add piece of wood at the foot...?

 

[parbuckle]

I used a slab of ali off Ebay to raise the mast 30 mm after trimming corrosion at base drilled and tapped into original fitting. The mast had a solid internal heel that was refitted as good as new.

 

[Fantasie 19]

Cut off damaged sections and sleeve in replacements to return the mast to its original length.

+1

Did the same on my old boat - best picture I have is this - the black section at the bottom is a plug that fitted inside the original mast after the damaged section was trimmed...

 

[knuterikt]

Thanks, so many good tips, I do like to keep existing mast and as you said maybe add piece of wood at the foot...?

If you can post pictures of the damaged sections you could get even more alternative solutions.

 

[Nina Lucia]

I will try do download some pictures tomorrow, thanks

 

[Nina Lucia]

thanks, how did you make the plug? Its aluminium?

 

[PhillM]

We also removed all fittings and re riveted (when I say "we" I mean the rigger!) but you get the idea. I took the opportunity to renew the standing rigging some was happy the whole rig was sound.

 

[Fantasie 19]

thanks, how did you make the plug? Its aluminium?

Can't remember for sure - but I think it was stainless...