Bad mast day

[Calin]

Last Monday I was sailing on the Bay and while tacking, to my stupefaction, saw my mast breaking in half. It was moderately windy that day.
Upon closer inspection a shackle broke at lower shroud connection.
I am now joining the ranks of the people looking for a mast or ways to repair the broken one.
Does anyone know what mast to buy and from where? I live in the Bay area.

The shackle shows signs of metal fatigue and if I had inspected it I would have seen the danger. So I suggest to verify yours. I think it was a combination of a bad batch and a stress 14 months ago when I raised the mast with tangled shrouds that may have put some pressure on it.

!	kmclemore:
	Fixed photo links

[fishheadbarandgrill]

We have a saying upon returning to the dock. It's been a great day.... nothing broke and nobody got hurt. I'll break things all day long as long as I (or a member of the crew) can tell the tale later...
Good luck with your mast hunt!

Bob

[RobertB]

If I remember, this is a Dwyer mast extrusion DM-6 - compare to https://www.dwyermast.com/families.asp? ... Name=Masts
Suggest calling to local riggers to see if anyone has this extrusion in stock. Otherwise, it is shipping either from Connecticut from Dwyer for the bare mast extrusion or Washington State from Blue Water Yachts for a replacement mast.

It also may be possible to weld your current one back together - call around. (I would do this first)

[Highlander]

U could also look for a mast inner splice ,

J

[Chinook]

I would never consider attempting a repair on a broken or bent mast. Also, don't forget your insurance. That's what it's for, and it should go a long way toward covering the complete cost of repairs. I speak from experience.

[Calin]

Thank you all for your suggestions. I forgot the insurance. Thank you Chinook for reminding me. I will see how much it will help. Does anyone have an idea on how much a new mast + transport will cost?

[sailboatmike]

If its not bent sleeving the mast could be a good way out, many riggers claim that a sleeved mast is actually stronger than the original.

This type of thing can be caused by corrosion, if stainless steel comes into direct contact with aluminium, a common issue of boats that are a few years old

[Lee Ward]

I think I saw that Mike Inmon had some, and maybe Tattoo.

[Ixneigh]

I wouid make an insert and and then have a two piece take apart mast. In a ny minute I may add. I wouid make a snug fitting wood and epoxy plug heavily fiberglassed. The ends of this plug wouid be tapered to prevent point loading the mast extrusion where the insert ends. The insert wouid be at least two feet long.

Ix

[Ixneigh]

Also curious if that's the oem original or a cheap replacement. The shackle has to be strong. There was at least one case of someone on the board having a failure using a non oem shackle for mast raising. If I do replace that shackle it's going to be wichard, not Far East!!
Ix

[Highlander]

I wouid make an insert and and then have a two piece take apart mast. In a ny minute I may add. I wouid make a snug fitting wood and epoxy plug heavily fiberglassed. The ends of this plug wouid be tapered to prevent point loading the mast extrusion where the insert ends. The insert wouid be at least two feet long.

Ix

If the mast is not bent it can be very easily spliced, the came with a 24ft spliced mast 2 x 12ft sections which could be stored inside the boat , when I cutter rigged my I also extended the mast to 28ft , bought more mast extrusion & another mast splice from my dealer & made my new modified 28ft mast a 3 sectional extrusion with no issues flying 2 head sails @ once & or spinnaker if the rigging is done right , bottom section was 12ft , mid section 8ft top section 8ft

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j95/m ... an0002.jpg

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j95/m ... an0001.jpg

You,ll notice I added Jumper strutts for extra support when flying my spinnaker which was bigger than the reg mac19 spinnaker , the above set-up I designed & made myself after reading some free rigging courses on the net

Just saying it can be done no problem

J

[EZ]

Calin,

You might want to contact the local dealer, Dan Arena for a replacement. He might know of some local sources for a mast.

At least you have been able sail your boat. I am still getting mine ready for the first sail this year. I wish you the best of luck on getting this fixed.

[Calin]

Ixneigh, the shackles are all original but 8 years old. The mast is not bent and looks like a clean break. So a splice can also be an option. Will also need to buy a new base and shrouds. I do not trust the old ones that took the fall shock. I guess BWY is a good place for that. Thanks to all your great suggestions I have many options to choose from. I have also contacted the insurance to see what they offer. Will decide based on their evaluation.
Thank you all!

[Calin]

Calin,

You might want to contact the local dealer, Dan Arena for a replacement. He might know of some local sources for a mast.

At least you have been able sail your boat. I am still getting mine ready for the first sail this year. I wish you the best of luck on getting this fixed.

Ez, can you please give me Dan's contact info?
Thank you

[Obelix]

Calin,

I purchased our boat from them, excellent people. Here is their info:

[email protected]
415-456-2644

Obelix