Slightly Bent Mast

[ShockValue]

After unstepping and derigging Sisyphus (C-Lark 14) this weekend I've discovered that the mast is slightly bent.

The mast is approx 20' tall. The bend is at about the 5' mark (starting at the bottom) and it's maybe 5 degrees or so. It's a hollow aluminum tube type.

I see no buckling or creases at the bend.

Is there a way to unbend this guy without breaking it?

I was contemplating setting the mast horizontal up on some saw-horses and hanging some weights at the apex of the bend. Bad plan? Useless?


Help

[bluwateronly]

I used to have a Prindel 16 cat that had a bent mast and the place I bought it from ran it through something and it came out straight as an arrow, no charge! So I know it can be done with the right equipment, don't think it something you can do yourself but check around local shops that deal with small sailboats and I'm sure you will find somebody that can help. Good luck and have fun. Also, are you sure it's just not something like rig tension?

[ShockValue]

No, it's laying flat on my driveway and it's pretty obvious.

I also forgot to mention it's a side-to-side bend, not a fore-aft type bend that one might get from gooseneck preassure.

[hellosailor]

Probably simplest, fastest, most reliable AND maybe even cheapest to shop around for a used mast, and if you can't locate one, get a new one.

[sailor50]

How about an 8' 2x4 shoved up the mast, rotate the opposite direction, hit with a rubber mallet using another shorter piece of 2x4 as the strike buffer?

If you do it kindly and slowly while rotating, you shouldn't need to temper the metal.

[Delaminated]

Two trees appropriately spaced apart and a come along.

[Insails]

To me it means the tensile strenght has been compromised.....Force is equal to mass times velocity squared. One good gust and the rig could come down as that bend will be the weakest point and you dont know how bad the tensile strenght was compromised...I would either put a sleeve in the mast or look for a new mast....