Cracks on mast - forestay attachment point

[apexio]

I have some cracks on the forestay attachment weld.

I'm going to get a rigging company to inspect it further and make repairs but I am curious - pn a scale of 1 - 10: 10 being mast is about to fall over, and 1 being it's cosmetic... what would you rate this as?

[Jammer]

If it were on my boat, I'd start leaving jib halyard shacked to the stemhead and tied off at the base of the mast.

[wholybee]

Originally Posted by apexio

I have some cracks on the forestay attachment weld.

I'm going to get a rigging company to inspect it further and make repairs but I am curious - pn a scale of 1 - 10: 10 being mast is about to fall over, and 1 being it's cosmetic... what would you rate this as?

Attachment 285863

Attachment 285864

10.
I would follow Jammer's advise and secure it with a jib halyard and not use the boat until it gets fixed. Good catch. Careful inspections like that are what prevent rig loss.

[Bowdrie]

Originally Posted by apexio

I'm going to get a rigging company to inspect it further and make repairs

I'm not so sure a "rigging company" employee is going to go up the mast in a bosun's chair with a tig welding apparatus to do any repairs.
You'll probably need to drop the mast.
That area will have to have the paint removed down to clean metal and a real pro with a tig unit do a proper job.

[Iron E]

11

[NorthCoastJoe]

Pull the mast as soon as you can.

[Don C L]

I agree. 10.

[bil56]

it's serious enough to no longer use the boat, and dismast it to repair it as soon as possible

./.

[JPA Cate]

It's a perfect 10! Heed Jammer's advice, it's important; and also, take a really close look at the fittings for the capshrouds, too. But don't go aloft till you have one or two halyards to the stem. Maybe even better wait to examine everything till after the mast is on the braces or sawhorses on land....seriously.

Ann

[Bowdrie]

Originally Posted by JPA Cate

and also, take a really close look at the fittings for the capshrouds, too. Ann

I might add this; That fitting for the cap-shrouds should be a one-piece fitting that goes from side-to-side in a slot cut on each side of the mast, then welded into place.
In general, rigging that is only secured by welds in tension is not such a good idea.
That goes for the headstay and backstay also.
PS, it's common to see a welded fitting on the mast for a forestay that sets a staysail, but that fitting has a MUCH lower loading applied to it and the safety of the mast is not so dependent upon it.

[apexio]

Thanks all for the advice. It's a catamaran, so three shrouds. At least two have cracks, the worst is the forestay.

I spoke with the mast manufacturer and they are not sure if there is anything other than the weld holding it on. I don't know why they would use such a weak design if that's the case. Quoted me a new mast at $24,000 but I'm in Hawaii and they are in Florida so just imagine the shipping costs! Not that I would do a new mast vs repair. Currently my idea is to cut these off and design something stronger, with a backing inside the mast and two welds vs one.

Looking around Hawaii for a company or person who can handle the work.

It's a 2004 Fountaine Pajot Belize.

Very glad to have caught it before getting dismasted. I was getting ready to leave for a trip to islands >1000nm away in the Pacific.

[JPA Cate]

Suggest you ask around at the Ala Moana YC, maybe someone knows someone, etc....

Sorry for your troubles. Do be very careful. I'd hire a car, if necessary.

[apexio]

For anyone else wondering whats inside a Zspar / US Spars / Fountaine Pajot mast - here's a hard-won photo.

The side stays are a solid piece but the forestay only has a guide tab. It seems like its not really connected to anything in there other than the tiny tiny tab.

Having my mast pulled today...