bent sailboat mast

[ahill]

hey guys a couple weeks ago i got caught in a huricane force storm with my little catamaran up in aitkin. the storm was so strong that i picked my cat up and threw it across the yard without a a sail on it. long story short i had a amazing sunny day without a cloud in the sky and next thing i know i had a hurricane force gail storm at my door and one hell of a ride. so long story short when the storm fliped the cat over it put a very signifficant bend in the mast and the forstay in the aluminium bar that the jib hooks around. does anyone have any ideas to straighten out the boat mast. it isnt bent in two but has a very good curvve to it. my support pole on the other had looks like it is going to need to be replaced

[Matt V]

If a mast is dented along the track or bent to where it is not usable in the bent condition, usually there is no hope. It will never perform like a straight mast again. That said, lots of people have had luck just getting it close and not sailing in high winds with the boat anymore. To straighten, build carpeted curved bending cradles, use a truck, the side of a masonry building, maybe some come-alongs, and possibly a skid loader. No reputable sailboat shop would do this, help you with this, or even suggest this. Look for a used mast.

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news.

[ahill]

before the mast had a slight bend that didnt relly cause any issues but after it getting put on its side it has a strong curve to it. its not bent along the channel but more along a noticable curve along the whole mast

[ahill]

her is one pic

[ahill]

another pic

[ahill]

last one

[JRN]

aHILL: Hobie used to make a kit for putting a carbon fiber tip on their masts. Maybe call up HiTempo and see if it is still available. Short of that, try parking it with the opposite side Facing windward, and wait for another mega-gust. Just be glad your weren't dangling from a kite when it happened. Maybe that is why the call it ,"DOPE ON A ROPE!" I think that same gust hit WBL when Roger was doing a back roll, he got the 360 and then some.

[ahill]

its actualy a McGregor venture cat. yeh it was insane. it was a relly sunny and nice day out and in a matter of 20 min the nice sunny day turned ugly very quickly. i started seeing darkness and instantly turned and headed for the launch site and i got to the mid way point of the lake and the wind just came out of nowere and changed instant derection on me and it was like hurricane gusts. i started getting relly nervous as i couldent get the boat to scoot anywere and was worried about gettig hit by lightning. then i got it turned enough to fly into the shore and just as i had gotten the sail pulled off the boat a masive huricane like gust of wind started pouring down and a couple seconds later lightning struck a tree about 50 feet away from were i was.

[ahill]

and i could sail it before somewhat good with a tiny bend but when the mast is up now the top half is bent to were it lines up with the pontoon

[JRN]

SOMETIMES THE ICEBOATING CROWD HAS SPARE MASTS UP FOR GRABS. ASK AROUND.

[MK]

I've been through a few aluminum props and have them repaired regularly. Not sure if an aluminum specialist has something to add but consider calling my prop guy (yes, I have a prop guy): Milo sixonetwo- 414 dash o65five.