Mast Section loose--need advice

[Andy B]

Over the weekend my boat was stored the masts raised, and there was significant rain.  When I took the masts down, a bit of rain came out at one of the epoxy/fiberglass joints between two sections.  That joint has a bit of give, just enough to notice--you can move the tube sections apart just a bit, but could not pull them apart by any means.

 

Question 1--how serious is this?  To my thinking, the danger is water intrusion, which is only occasional, but maybe still concerning. I don't think there's enough upward pull on the mast when in use to actually lift a section out, right?

Question 2--What would be a good fix?  Just add some epoxy?

Question 3--these masts are 20+ years old.  When is it time for new ones? 

 

One reason for asking question 3 is that I have the old-style sails.  They are in good condition but of course they can't compare to the newer style (battens, rounded roach) in light air.  And I have the annoying old-style external mast track that always seems to be getting stuck.  So at what point does it make sense to upgrade everything (hold my wallet!) instead of bit by bit?

 

Bonus question:  Do the rivet spaces in the modern mast track line up with the rivet spaces in the old mast track?

[Don Silsbe]

Hi Andy,

I’ll answer all three, but trust that you’ll get better answers to #1 from Alan or Graham.

1.  Are all three sections made of aluminum?  I know yours is an older build.  My Bay River Skiff called for an optional wooden top section.  If it is all aluminum, I wouldn’t worry about it.  On my little Two Paw 8, the sections come apart intentionally, for travel.

2.  A little thickened epoxy would fix the “problem”. B&B now offers a cute little epoxy repair kit.  But if it’s all aluminum, I wouldn’t bother.

3.  I had an old Schaefer sail track on my CS17.1, and had the same discussion with Alan.  They developed this new sail track primarily as a response to the high cost of the Schaefer track and slides.  (Compare photos.) The new slide system sticks, too, occasionally.  The Schaefer is somewhat easier to fix.  You identify the sticky spot on the mast, and bend the track.  For me this occurred where the sections met.  If is one particular slide on a sail (less likely), look for burrs or open up the slide in tight areas.

[Andy B]

Thanks, Don. 

 

I'll second the B&B tiny epoxy kit (I'm assuming it's the same one they send with the mast float kit).  It's just the right size.

 

Yes, the mast sections there are all aluminum.  It's old enough that the top and bottom have wooden plugs, not starboard material.  I've thought about taking the wood out before, but it goes several inches deep so that would be a major excavating project.  Not a priority right now.  I will keep watching this spot and see if the movement increases, and then epoxy if needed.

[Don Silsbe]

Wooden plugs van be removed with a 1” twist drill.  That’ll remove most of the material.  An old chisel will take care of the rest.  B&B has some sweet plastic mast plugs.  They aren’t expensive, snd fit like a glove.