Stuck mast...what to do?

rod.r · Joined: 20 Aug 2007 Posts: 9

i have a stuck mast, but not as we (usually) know it.

i bought a package off a guy which included a nice north xcellerator
viper 75% 490 mast, nice apart from the fact it was stuck together.

what seems to have happened is that while rigging his 9m sail, the
metal collar around the ferrule split, and the force of downhauling
the sail caused the top half to push the collar up and over the bottom
section, with the end result that the ferrule went about 2cm further
into the top section than is normal.

he has used the mast like this a couple more times before selling it
to me. the top section shows no sign of damage. no cracking or
deformation. but at the moment, due to the lack of the metal collar,
there is nothing stopping the two sections comming even harder
together, apart from the fact that the tip of the ferrule has wedged
into the tapper of the top section and will go no further.

the way i see it, is that i can do one of three things.

1. bin the mast....but what a shame

2. fill the gap between the two halves where the ferrule is exposed
with something like a carbon wrap to stop the two halves pressing into
each other any further...and use the mast as a one piece.

3. i don't know how hard the guy tried to separate the mast. but i
could give it another go and if successful, get another collar made
and use mast as normal.

Archived from group: rec>windsurfing

Charles Jutkins · Joined: 20 Aug 2007 Posts: 4

The most common way to get a mast unstuck is to use two booms one attached
to the bottom and one to the top near the split . Use them as lever arms to
work the mast loose(twisting and ulling gently) . Try running a hose on the
joint at the same time . If its really bad put between two sawhorses and
bounce it up and down a little while working it apart this will require two
or three people.
If your using it in a Sandy environment some people tape the joint after
assembly to keep sand out.
Also I have never seen a two pice windsurfing mast made out of anything but
Fiberglass and Carbon.

"rod.r" wrote in message @q21g2000hsa.googlegroups.com...
>i have a stuck mast, but not as we (usually) know it.
>
> i bought a package off a guy which included a nice north xcellerator
> viper 75% 490 mast, nice apart from the fact it was stuck together.
>
> what seems to have happened is that while rigging his 9m sail, the
> metal collar around the ferrule split, and the force of downhauling
> the sail caused the top half to push the collar up and over the bottom
> section, with the end result that the ferrule went about 2cm further
> into the top section than is normal.
>
> he has used the mast like this a couple more times before selling it
> to me. the top section shows no sign of damage. no cracking or
> deformation. but at the moment, due to the lack of the metal collar,
> there is nothing stopping the two sections comming even harder
> together, apart from the fact that the tip of the ferrule has wedged
> into the tapper of the top section and will go no further.
>
> the way i see it, is that i can do one of three things.
>
> 1. bin the mast....but what a shame
>
> 2. fill the gap between the two halves where the ferrule is exposed
> with something like a carbon wrap to stop the two halves pressing into
> each other any further...and use the mast as a one piece.
>
> 3. i don't know how hard the guy tried to separate the mast. but i
> could give it another go and if successful, get another collar made
> and use mast as normal.

Paxi · Joined: 20 Jan 2008 Posts: 2

On Feb 10, 7:03 am, "Charles Jutkins" wrote:
> The most common way to get a mast unstuck is to use two booms one attached
> to the bottom and one to the top near the split . Use them as lever arms to
> work the mast loose(twisting and ulling gently) . Try running a hose on the
> joint at the same time . If its really bad put between two sawhorses and
> bounce it up and down a little while working it apart this will require two
> or three people.

I believe this is one of the best means to get them detached.

What comes to the collar; I've seen a few cases where the collar has
been fractured and most often this has made the mast unusable. However
having said that; North has the collar available as separate spare
part. I've never ordered one other than for warranty claims but maybe
you could try to get your local dealer to ask for it. Other faster and
easier but maybe not so good idea is to make one as you were thinking.

user · Joined: 17 Aug 2007 Posts: 82

Per rod.r:
>now i just need to re-do the collar and i'm good to go.

Don't let the tape suggestion slip by.

I've been using a turn of 3/4" electrical tape on the joint for
about 2 seasons now and haven't had a single episode of jamming.

Without it, they jam almost every time.

The few inches of tape is good for at least a half-dozen
riggings. I just keep a roll of the stuff tied to my downhaul
crank.

Thanks to Roger....
--
PeteCresswell

rod.r · Joined: 20 Aug 2007 Posts: 9

hi john

i read on this group that north used to provide the collar as a spare
part, so my local north shop is looking into it, but i'm doubtful.

they said they have a really good mast repair guy who they though
would most likely replace the collar with some kind of carbon wrap.
the collar was pushed down the mast and is still there. i wondered if
it could be re-positioned then wrapped to keep it in place.

i guess the mast guy will know, as the split collar seems to be a
relatively common thing. either way, it's better than throwing the
mast away.
(would the alu collar be of a standard diameter? maybe it's just a
case of buying a section and slipping it on, although where the collar
is split, you can see the wall thickness profile and it almost looks
like the wall thickness tapers, (thicker where against the top
section, thinner the other end)

don · Joined: 20 Aug 2007 Posts: 2

On Feb 12, 8:18 am, "(PeteCresswell)" wrote:
> Per rod.r:
>
> >now i just need to re-do the collar and i'm good to go.
>
> Don't let the tape suggestion slip by.
>
> I've been using a turn of 3/4" electrical tape on the joint for
> about 2 seasons now and haven't had a single episode of jamming.
>
> Without it, they jam almost every time.
>
> The few inches of tape is good for at least a half-dozen
> riggings. I just keep a roll of the stuff tied to my downhaul
> crank.
>
> Thanks to Roger....
> --
> PeteCresswell

If I ever get on the dang water again, I will try that! It sure sounds
like a good idea. I wonder how a thinn "O" ring would work...

Regards

Don

Glenn Woodell · Joined: 15 Jan 2008 Posts: 16

On Tue, 12 Feb 2008 13:52:06 -0800 (PST), don@lostinchina.org wrote:

>On Feb 12, 8:18 am, "(PeteCresswell)" wrote:
>> Per rod.r:
>>
>> >now i just need to re-do the collar and i'm good to go.
>>
>> Don't let the tape suggestion slip by.
>>
>> I've been using a turn of 3/4" electrical tape on the joint for
>> about 2 seasons now and haven't had a single episode of jamming.
>>
>> Without it, they jam almost every time.
>>
>> The few inches of tape is good for at least a half-dozen
>> riggings. I just keep a roll of the stuff tied to my downhaul
>> crank.
>>
>> Thanks to Roger....
>> --
>> PeteCresswell
>
>If I ever get on the dang water again, I will try that! It sure sounds
>like a good idea. I wonder how a thinn "O" ring would work...
>
>Regards
>
>Don

I've been doing it for years with 2" packing tape. It keeps the mast
halves together properly while rigging and unrigging. Plus it serves
as repair tape for everyone else's sails. (Mine are all scrim).

Glenn

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