Mast Issue

jmunson2 · #1 (**permalink**) 07-23-2008

Namaste!

Long time no write...

I have a question concerning our wooden main mast. This is for a '71 Cheoy Lee 42.

Sometime over the winter while the boat was on the hard a separation of the joint between the front part of the mast and the starboard side (it is a box mast) has occurred. This happened above the foot and is approximately 1.5' long. The wood itself appears to be fine (no splintering) and the remainder of the mast also appears to be fine. The gap, at its apex, is about 1/8".

My question is: is this a problem critical enough to warrant dismasting and repair, or, can we fill the joint with glue (or equivalent), ratchet a band clamp or two on it and go our merry way?

I ask you kind people for your considered opinions whilst we await the return of the rigger from his vacation to get a more professional opinion.

We'd like to go sailing sooner rather than later of course!

Thanks in advance!

Peace, Love, and Light,

/s/ Jon C. Munson II

CharlieCobra · #2 (**permalink**) 07-23-2008

Ya need to wait for the rigger. Delam or separation in a wooden mast can lead to failure under load.

sailingdog · #3 (**permalink**) 07-23-2008

Also, if this section of the mast has split...what other parts of the mast are about to let go??? I think having someone check the entire mast would be a good idea... and a hell of a lot safer than patching it and sailing with it.

jmunson2 · #4 (**permalink**) 07-23-2008

Oh, I heartily agree. Just looking for anyone who's got some experience with a similar issue.

However, that doesn't mean we aren't aware of the foibles of delam, etc. Just trolling for opinions.

It is my opinion that some water got in the joint and froze over the winter, causing the joint to open (leading to the question of how the water got in the glue joint in the first place, but that's for another time). Could also be due to swelling, etc., - it is a wooden mast after all.

However, I think the major stress on the mast isn't at the foot, but rather up further, nearer the halfway point. Usually when you bend something, it will break at the apex, given all parts of equal strength. I don't think the actual stress is at the foot.

Given that I think the issue easily reparable. However, that's just an ill-educated opinion and thus theory only until born out by a professional.

jmunson2 · #5 (**permalink**) 07-23-2008

Yes, SD, I agree - an inspection is definitely due.

SteveCox · #6 (**permalink**) 07-23-2008

Unfortunately the answer as (almost) always is, it depends. Is the mast varnished or painted? I ask that because of whether or not you can inspect the area around the split. Since you report that the wood has not splintered the only conclusion open to me is that the glue itself has let go. That is worrisome since the rest of the mast is done with the same glue. OTOH I have not seen 50' of glue line let go before which is not to say it couldn't happen. The entire mast needs to be inspected but unless there are other visible splits it's not going to tell you a whole lot. It probably will all come down to your comfort level with a mast that has started to split. You can simply put in epoxy and use a few band clamps and go sailing or you can rebuild or replace the mast. Glue may work for twenty years or somewhere else on the mast might break tomorrow. Sorry not to be more help but this one is a crap shoot.

jmunson2 · #7 (**permalink**) 07-23-2008

I agree Steve, there isn't anyway to know if the rest of the mast is going to be stable or not (glue-wise).

My thinking is fix the current issue and go sailing since it may not be possible to tell/gauge any further failure. Rebuilding/replacing the spar isn't financially feasible at this point either. Alot depends on the rigger's thoughts of course.

The interesting thing is that the foot and a couple of feet up were showing elevated moisture levels (compared to the rest) last year when the boat was originally inspected for purchase. I'm wondering if that may have dried out, shrank, and that started the whole process. If so, then perhaps the rest of the mast is in good shape and the problem is solely (pun intended) there. Who knows, really.

The earliest the rigger can get there is Monday, but I'm not sure of the schedule as he's currently on vacation and won't be back until Friday afternoon. Hence my querying here to get some idea.

soulesailor · #8 (**permalink**) 07-23-2008

If there is an 1/8" gap at one point in the separation that should be big enough to look in and see if the glue or the wood is what failed.

If the glue failed the joint between wood sections of the mast will be mostly smooth with just a little glue residue on one or each piece. If the glue held and the lignin in the wood split you should see some wood still glued to the joint and haggard, split wood remains on each side of the separation.

This will at least tell you whether or not the rest of the glue seams are suspect.

jmunson2 · #9 (**permalink**) 07-23-2008

Thanks for that, I will look again.

Btw, the mast is varnished, not painted - forgot to answer that from a previous post.

chucklesR · #10 (**permalink**) 07-23-2008

Fill the joint/gap with epoxy thickened with wood dust of the same species as the wood of the mast - troweled and squeezed in ensuring a complete fill, re-varnish over the area. Inspect the mast for other areas that have failed or where the varnish is failing and repair thoroughly.

The problem is in the original construction - since you don't mention the age or what type of glue was used to laminate it one can only guess. Have the mast inspected by a professional as soon as you can just to make you feel better, and to be safe

Epoxy is stronger than the wood itself, the repair will outlast the mast.