Mast pitting

[jsutor]

I have noticed pitting on my mast and am wondering if this should be addressed and if so how best to do it, i.e. - clean and fill them with an epoxy, etc???

any info would be appreciated.

[WHOOSH]

J, the pitting is likely in areas adjacent to mounted metal hardware and is the result of galvanic corrosion. The sole purpose of the mast is to serve as a vertical support column around which everything is hung, and filling holes with epoxy won''t help the mast wall strength, which is the issue about which you are concerned. The things you CAN do are a) remove and remount metal hardware, using Tef-Gel for fasteners and thin inert sheet material (e.g. Teflon) inbetween the mounting surfaces of the hardware and the spar (e.g. winch pads, also wooden pads), and b) try to estimate the amount and depth of pitting vs. the spar wall thickness. Over time, most of us have pitting on our aluminum spars, but if it''s severe and in an area under load (e.g. at the spreader mounting point), then you might want a professional (by which I don''t just mean anyone who has ''surveyor'' after his name) to examine the problem.

Good luck to you.

Jack

[sadie14]

With regard to attaching metal fittings to the mast ( cleats, etc.), cover the backs of the fittings with black electrical tape, use a razor knife to cut out the edge overhangs. This works very well against galvanic corrosion.