Mast Repair, any tip?

[michelb]

Hello,

Looking in my apartment I found 3 broke masts ( Powerex Z speed 520 + 2 x Gaastra Race with kevlar reinforcement 520).

I decide to try to repair them.
I ask for a mechanic to make an double insert extension on Alu to put the 2 parts of the bottom together and get back the broke part of the mast.

Any experience about? Someone try to do this before?

I want to have this repaired mast as back up because I broke 4 masts in a year..... ( I'm plenty of mast tips)......

Rgds,

Michelb

[nonopr]

I can assure you one thing MichelB:
Dont get that repair mast near the water with out a partner to help you out of the water when it breaks. I will never use a mast like that to sail unless I have a boat with me to rescue.

[michelb]

Why not? you always extend your mast by the bottom end. Also you have a joint rigth in thr middle of the mast... and the mast bending in the bottom is not so radical....

Now the new masts of North are made in 3 parts.......

I will try with an old sail and see what happen with the unions.

[nonopr]

I am saying no, because I think is not a safe way to do this.
But, you do, what you think it is right for you. Good luck in the project.

[Roger]

michelb,
Why not repair your masts with aluminum sleeves?
Because the sleeves will "point load" the mast at the top and bottom of the sleeve and your mast will break again.
Have you evaluated why you are breaking so many masts?
Also, the mast will no longer have the correct bend characteristics so you sails will
not rig correctly.
You are right, the bottom section is stiffer, but it still bends a bit overall.
Where are your masts breaking....above or below the boom?
If you repair them, and try to use them on the water, I agree with nonopr, don't go a further from shore than you are willing to swim back towing your board and broken rig.
Or, hire a rescue boat to follow you.
It's very simply not safe to try to repair a broken WS mast in any way.

[nonopr]

Thanks Roger: That is the right wat to say this wont work.

[michelb]

The mast I try to repair is way below the boom ( 50 cm from the bottom).
The masts ( 3 first mast were 520 ) were break in a Neutron 10,5 sail, that I really think was the problem, always under the boom between the first and second cam. The last one ( a 550 ) Was broke by a Severne Code Red 11 mts sail, the sewing in the front end of the mast pocket just "cut the sail pocket in halfs lengthwise", like when you open a banana. The mast just break because the 2 tips goes together.

I use Gaastra Sails form Nitro 1 to Nitro 5 with the 1st Powerex mast without any problem, then "upgrade my old Nitro5 for the Neutron (new one)" and my nightmare begin.....

I think that if the break is over the boom, then I will forgot to repair, but in the very bottom, maybe can have a chance ( the cost for the new sleve is USD 50), I will test with an old RS1 11 mts that need 48 cm extension over the 520 with a lot of downhaul ( with a crank) and let's see what happen.

Thanks for your comments.
Michel

[michelb]

I just upload some pictures of the disaster to a personal album in my profile.

The kevlar reinforced will be the selected mast for repair......

Mastrepair is not mission impossible... I wouldn't do it, but if I had te do, I would use some carbon for the best strenght. Aluminium is not the best choise to take 300kg pressure.