Bent Mast

[docsailer]

Hello all,

I am new to this sailing world and I am trying to learn from more experience sailers. I am currently living in Grenada where I plan to be for another 2 years. I am looking at buying a sail boat and living aboard while I am down here and potentially to my next adventure.

Now here is the question I have. I am looking at this Lavranos L34 for sail. It is up in Carriacou right now. It was there when the hurricane hit and from my understanding it has little damage besides a bent mast. I have read that they can be repaired, but the integrity of the mast is typically subpar once repaired. Can I get insight on that and can I get some information on where to go to get a replacement mast (preferably used) and roughly the cost I will take on replacing the mast. Attached is the photo I was sent of the bent mast. Again I do not own this boat currently.

[pcmm]

There is mor to that then just repairing the mast. If it was a distinct break then It could be repaired but a big bend like that to me looks like a replacement. I'd also be looking at the chainplates for damage ( there likely is) the standing rigging needs replacing as its no doubt been stretched significantly. The furler is damaged you can see the bent section of foil. could easily be $30k of repairs.

I'd look for something with an intact rig.

[Tin Tin]

Photos with a fisheye lense are deceptive and if some one let the back stay off it might straighten up

[pcmm]

Originally Posted by Tin Tin

Photos with a fisheye lense are deceptive and if some one let the back stay off it might straighten up

If its a fisheye lens I would expect the mast to be distorted in the opposite direction. The mast in the background also is straight.

[CarlF]

The curve of the mast is smooth with no kinks. With no spreader on one side it should bend (although this is a lot). I think if the shroud was eased on the port side that the bend may come out - like a bow when released.

If it looks good then the mast should be unstepped and laid across saw horses to repair the spreader and look for any signs that the metal is distorted or cracked.

[dlj]

You can't actually tell from photos like this what kind of damage to the mast actually exists or not. It's simply all speculation. Depending upon what kind of damage exists, there can be ways to fix it, or it may be easier to replace it.

As pcmm said - there is a lot more to this than just the mast.

dj

[barnakiel]

If you detune and it is severely bent, it is gone.


If it is bent at one point, you can chop and reuse the parts.


If it is bent more than 5% over an arch, it will be difficult to unbend.


If you are in the Caribbean, just walk the boatyards and buy another mast.


Aluminum does not like bending and unbending, if once.


Local rigger may be your best friend.



b.

[docsailer]

Thanks for all the insight. I am going to try to get to the boat this weekend to look at it. Hopefully the issues are not all too bad and I am able to do a lot of the repairs myself (I know I cannot replace the mast myself).

[barnakiel]

it is a fractional


maybe someone just pulled that backstay "too tight" ?


Ease the backstay SLOWLY see what ensues



b.