really need help finding a part :(

[bigler]

So I was sailing in some higher winds and my headstay line snapped causing the mast to fall at an angle and break the mast mount. im somewhat new to sailing and sailboat terms but the piece that broke is attached to the bottom of the mast and it connects the mast to the hull with a similar part and allows the mast to pivot up and down when raising the mast. im attaching a picture of the part after the incident.

My problem is that this is a Balboa 20 from the early 70s and I have no experience on hunting down parts for sailboats. i dont know if this is going to require getting a whole new mast or getting a whole new mount replacement for the hull side and mast side of this part. if anyone has anything they can share with me that might point me in the right direction or ease my mind, that would be great. Im really bummed out right now about this and I fear this part could be impossible to find.

any links to websites that might have one of these in stock would be great also. thanks in advance and I hope you guys can help me

[Jim Cate]

G'Day Bigler,

Condolences on the rig failure, and I suspect that you are correct in thinking that a direct replacement will be hard to source.

The good news is that it is likely that a decent welder can repair it to a usable condition. From the photo it appears to be an aluminium casting, and this material is definitely weldable. Don't know exactly where you are located, but most welding shops can handle such jobs... good luck!

Cheers,

Jim

[forsailbyowner]

I started my sailing in an aquarius, The next larger boat made by coastal recreation. Its tabernacle was simply a u shaped piece of stainless bolted to the deck with slots in it for the bolt that allowed enough play to raise and lower the mast. Much simpler to make than the shaped aluminum piece with a hinge as pictured. It held through all the abuse I put it through which was considerable.