Mast base cracked! Contessa 26

[Glass lizard]

hello to all! I have found the bottom of my mast base to be cracked! It also apears that someone has attempted to do a weld repair on it that also failed. The previous owner says its not a big deal and not to mind it. But i cant. Im finishing the re fit on my contessa 26 near toronto in 2021 (i frikn hope). Does anyone know if there might be another one around? Where to get a new one made? should even bother? Thanks for the advice. Anything helps, all waters are uncharted when it comes to me and boats

[boatpoker]

Take it to Skara Metal Foundry in Mississauga. Fill the crack with body filler and he can use it as a pattern to cast you a new one.

[Spot]

G-Liz,
Would it be possible to get a couple more pictures of the mast base on the spar and the mast step on the boat? I am just curious how it all goes together.


A fresh casting sounds awesome, great idea Boatpoker!

[dfelsent]

I’ve had custom castings done in the past (by a different foundry) and been very happy with the results.
Also:

http://contessa26.net/
Might offer help.

[Glass lizard]

Awesome! Thabks for the great idea!

[Maclir]

Get an aluminium fabricator to make a new one from 12mm plate, easy!

[Glass lizard]

A solid aluminum mast base would be excellent. If it wasnt so expensive. Its not the mast step its the base of the mast. Its probably 3" or 4" thick. I wish i had more pictures but im away from the boat for another month.

[boatpoker]

Originally Posted by Glass lizard

A solid aluminum mast base would be excellent. If it wasnt so expensive. Its not the mast step its the base of the mast. Its probably 3" or 4" thick. I wish i had more pictures but im away from the boat for another month.

I've had many castings done at Skara Foundry. It's surprising how cheap it is.
Guess thats because it's not a "marine" foundry, just a mom & pop operation that does a lot of odd stuff. It's worth thr trip just to see the weird stuff he has in the plant. He once cast a life size bronze alligator for my brothers pond.