Best way to close open mast track? Beat with rubber mallet?

[pbmaise]

My nephew has a Laser 2 with a mast track problem. Near the top the bolt rope comes out of the mast track because it has been expanded open.

I initially suggested he use a rubber mallet and pound it back into shape. I managed to find someone who reported something similar and he used a wooden mallet.

Any tips and suggestions. My obvious worry is cracking the mast.

[pbmaise]

I think perhaps this is a problem unique to this style a mast. The mast has an inner sleeve that extends upwards. This means the normal sheave block we have on larger sailboat masts isn't right at the top of this mast section. Instead the sheave block is at the top of the mast extension.

[pbmaise]

One odd thing about this bolt rope prohibits me from simply attaching a bracket at the top of the mast section. The bolt rope passes from the outer lower mast track section to the inner upper mast track as the sail is raised. My nephew says this transition doesn't always go well and is part of the pain of this design.



I don't think I can fix that transition point, but again the main question is should just beating on the mast with a rubber mallet be the suggested remedy to closing the open mast track?

[hlev00]

I've never tried that sort of operation but I have straightened several bent dinghy masts. The anodized aluminum handles a decent amount of bending before it will break and there shouldn't be a strength issue at that point.



And though this link is in the UK, from googling it seems that they are better organized or at least publicized. They might be able to point you to someone with advice.



https://www.laser2sailing.org.uk/