Rot in mast

[oak]

I noticed a softening of the wood around the mast band a couple of years ago which I thought I had repaired with epoxy and a ss spacer,it has deteriated further so I think I will have to buy a new mast.This however has the same through bolt fixing..How can I be really sure there will no water penetration causing the same problem.
The main problem is getting the mast from Rochdale to Ireland at a reasonable cost.
Were the SA masts covered in fibreglass or compound above the mast band?Just trying to find out if mine had bee "doctored".
Oak
"Merlin"
Think I will mount my old mast as a flag staff in front of the cottage

[Dennis]

Hello Jack

I understand your concern. My last boat (a Winkle Brig) suffered this problem. The mast was solid Douglas Fir and looked perfect, varnished every year etc. However, one glorious August afternoon whilst tacking, the mast snapped at the hounds fitting, with the top part of the mast and the gaff crashing into the cockpit, Fortunately no-one was hurt and the mast stayed up as the hounds fitting was still in place.
The mast was rotten through behind the mast band, water was lying there as this was the point that the mast taper started, allowing water to run down the mast and behind the mast band. As the band was tight on the mast at its lower edge water could not escape. The through bolting of the hounds/band allowed the water to penetrate easily.

I made a new mast (from Douglas Fir) and soaked the ends and the through bolt holes (hounds and tabernacle) with Ronseal clear penetrating wood preservative before varnishing.

To try and prevent this happening on my CC19 I sealed around the top of the Hounds/mast band with silicon mastic when new. I inspect this every year (the mast is kept indoors during the winter ) and remove and re-apply as necessary. I also seal around the bolt/nut with mastic to try and stop water penetration by that route.

The worrying thing about my mast that snapped was that the rot was entirely confined behind the mast band, and had not spread up or down the mast. I sawed through the mast immediately below the band and it was (and still is) rot free. I now use that mast as a replacement for my boom (on the CC19) during winter storage, It supports the cover (like a tent ridge pole) allowing water to run off.

If I have trouble with my CC19 mast (I am not expecting any) I would be tempted to go down the same route as David Peck and go carbon fibre. The HM solid masts are much heavier than the SA originals.

Can you not have a mast made locally? It might be easier than importing from Rochdale.

[Ru88ell]

Could you make up a jury rig to sail over to Holyhead and collect a new mast? That would be fun.

I'm just glad that my mast is indoors for 45 weeks of the year.

[oak]

Hello Dennis,
identical problem to your Winkle Brig.I thought I had protected the mast by coating with epoxy when I got the boat but pretty sure problem was older.
Funny enough I doubt if there are more than two mast builders in Ireland but one happens to be quite close to me.
He will make me a solid or birdsmouth but the pricing is a bit hazy also I would quite like a new mast band.
I think Honnor make their own?
The advantage of buying from Honnor is that the blessed thing comes and fits.
On the other hand I like to support local craftsmen.Norma is pressing me but there is no hurry.
I shall be in sunny Northumberland next month for a few days.I am going to Scarborough with my new dog for a Working Trial and we thought we would look in on old stamping grounds afterwards.
Jack
Good idea Russel re jury rig.I will put your name forward as first reserve for the rush to be the crew!

[zimp]

for your info, I paid euro 1500 for a solid mast, about one year ago, here in the Netherlands

[Dennis]

Hello Jack

You are right, Honnor do make their own mast bands.
What is wrong with the existing mast band? Why do you need a new one?

You could always buy a new band from HM and get your mast made locally to fit. Any mast maker worth his salt will be able to make the mast exactly the correct size based upon your existing pole.

If I remember correctly, you do a fair bit of mast raising/lowering on the Shannon. If that is correct, I would opt for a birdsmouth (hollow) mast again. My solid mast weighs as much as my 5hp Honda outboard (27 Kg). That is why I am keen on carbon fibre, if you have not already done so read David Peck's posts on his experience.

If you fancy a day sailing on Kielder when you come across, let me know.

[oak]

A solid mast from Honnor or Collars is around the £600 mark plus Vat.
Dennis,the mast band is ok ish.I have it off but the holes are getting slightly elongated.
I will read up again on the carbon fibre.
Thanks for the offer but I have got so soft since my days sailing in Sunderland but its a nice thought.
Jack

[oak]

Thanks for the information Zimp.I had a llook at your mast capping.very neat.Seems a long time since I had a BM in the Netherlands

[x-man12345]

We removed Ladybird's mast this week. I removed the horrible epoxy coating and am in the process of applying a Sikkens three coat system.
I did find some soft wood at the top of the mast. It was a small piece about 3" long, 5/8 deep by 1/2" wide tapering to nothing at the bottom.
I would never have known it was there because of the white "paint" coating. This had a crack in it and water had obviously made it's way in. The rest of the mast was in great condition. I filled the groove with a two part wood filler.
I will not be painting the top part of the mast white as before. It will be Sikkens the whole length, that way it can be inspected easier.
Ian