San Juan 26ft Is the Mast Suppose to Have Bend in it?

[san juan 7.7]

It is a fractional rig, I know its supposed to bend as wanted with backstay adjustment. The mast is off the boat and it is bent slightly in the middle and has no tension on it. It has been removed for winter storage. It is bent from bow to stern in middle area. Is this normal?

[san juan 7.7]

New to fractional rigs so any help would be appreciated.

[denverd0n]

No. Off the boat, with no tension on it, the mast should be straight.

[colemj]

Does the rig have diamond stays? These are used to set and maintain a prebend independent of the backstay.

Mark

[Sailmonkey]

I've seen tapered masts that maintain prebend without having diamond wires too.

[capn_billl]

I would say it should be straight when not under tension. I have a fractional rig, also and when detached it is straight.

The million dollar question is; is it critical? Obviously an aluminum pole constantly flexed will eventually stay bent.

How bad is the bend?
Do you still have some tension in the rigging when it is properly tuned?
Do some of the stays flap in the wind? (zero tension?)
Can you get a good sail shape with it bent?

You may have to get some one familiar to look at it, ...post a pic.
And if it is bent TOO much, it may need repaired or replaced.

If not, it will be something for you to keep an eye on, while you use the remaining life sailing it.

[denverd0n]

Yes, SOME boats do have some pre-bend in the mast. I have owned a San Juan in the past, and seen lots and lots of San Juan boats over the years. NONE of them had any pre-bend in the mast. I cannot guarantee that the OPs boat is not supposed to have any pre-bend, but it would be unusual for a San Juan, and I would be very surprised if that is the case.