Broken Mast

[elrond11]

Hi All,

Last week while sailing the port side chain plate let go on my O'Day 22. The bottom of the mast ended up getting bent about 2 -3 inches up from the base. I am not sure what to do. My first inclination is to cut it past the bad section (about 4 - 5 inches from the base) and make new stays and shrouds to fit the new length. Does anyone see a problem with doing this? (I have attached some pics of the mast)

Also, the chain plate was a deck mounted one. I need to put a new one in. I plan on replacing the starboard one too. I am thinking I will replace them with another deck mounted set. Would it be better to use a regular chain plate that bolts to the side of the hull?

Thanks in advance for your help and advice,
Jim

[jarcher]

I can't offer advise, just sympathy. Sorry to hear that!

[JomsViking]

Jim,
Sorry to hear that too.
Some pictures would help a lot (as you promised)
Without knowing anything specific about the O'Day, you might be able to get that section repaired by cutting it, adding an inner-sleeve, and then riveting a piece of new aluminium profile to replace the bottom 4 inches (or whatever). Several mast has been repaired like this, and some (older) are made that way from birth.
It also sounds like a great idea to replace all the chain plates.

[celenoglu]

The boom will be lowered as much as you cut the mast. It is a better idea to add a small piece (same length as you cut) to the mast. This way you can use the same stays and the boom will not be lowered.

[elrond11]

Thanks for the input from all!!!

I have been unsuccessful in uploading the photos.

I like the idea of splicing the amount I cut off using a sleeve. However, I am unfamiliar with that technique. What do I use for a sleeve? Any piece of aluminum? Plus, I need to find a 4" piece to splice to the bottom of the mast. If I could upload the pics you'd notice that their is a pin that goes through the side of the mast. This is used for stepping it. I would need to add that too.