G'day guys,
I need your advice. My sis has just managed to bend the Al mast on her windrush 14. Currently I can still rig the boat for her by using a block and tackle whilst connecting the side stays. Would I be better off replacing the mast with another Al or a carbon fibre mast keeping in mind that this is only her 3rd season. Also can anyone point me in the right direction for a sailmaker that can make decent windrush sails. The lads in my area are great for NS14 and VS sails but they havn't cut thier teeth so to speek on cats.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Cheers,
Matty
depends on ur budgit ..... carbon mast .. a lot stiffer a lot stronger and lighter ..... but rather exspensive...... if u tried to bent the ally mast back it will weaken it at that stress point greatly ...... either buy new ally or carbon mast ...only way to go
.
I would try bending it back, i know it will create weak points in the mast but you have nothing too loose.
Contact Brett at Windrush Yachts in WA. He will sort you out with competition quality sails.
As far as the mast goes, only get a carbon one if you never want to compete in any Windrush events. Only aly masts are class legal.
G'day there.
prehaps second hand is worth considering? put a notice up around your local yacht clubs and ask your windrush state association secretary if u can possibly put an add in the next news letter. only ally masts are legal for windrush events. for an example there is actually a windrush mast advertised for sale at $80 on the west australian windrush website
im not familiar with a windrush mast at all but .... u could also sleve the mast ... pushing a smaller diameter ally pipe up the mast untill u get it in right sport and then chuck some rivits in ??
Cheers for all the help guys,
I don't race windrush 14's so thanks for the heads up about the alloy mast rule. I mainly sail small skiffs such as the cherub. Not too keen on bending it back to shape as average winds she sails in is 15-30knts on Queenslake about 2.5 hour nth of Newcastle. I think I'll hunt around for a 2nd hand alloy one. Anyway happy sailing.
If you want decent windrush sails you cant go past the standard sails they are the best. The most modification they ever need is battens but apart from that they are spot on and they look great
You might as well try to straighten mast.
I have straightened 4m long spinnaker poles for 30 footer successfully and had no problems.
I assume that the existing bend has not creased the aluminium section.
Before you attempt to straighten however, you must fill the mast with clean sand.
This method of bending round sections is used by plumbers to bend pipes.
The sand prevents the walls of the mast section from collapsing.
Tape up all penetrations and fill mast, ensure the sand is fully compacted. Stuff end of mast with newspaper and tape up, when mast is full of sand.
You will find that the mast is very plyable and can be readily bent into your disired shape. When you are happy with the shape empty sand.
good luck. nothing to loose by giving it a go.
Once again guys thanks for all the help,
I have never herd of stuffing a mast or pipe with sand to bend it straight. Thanks for the tip. Look forward to trying it. As you all say, what have i got to loose. answer nothing. If it fails is there anywhere in nsw to get a replacement. Be it 2nd hand or new.
Once again thanks for the advise and happy sailing.
Cheers,
Matyboy
If you wreck it and You will because I have never seen a sucessful straightening of a windrush mast(have never seen many bend either) get onto the windrush association website and it should have clubs and contacts for people in your area.
A second hand one would be difficult unless you want to buy a mast with free boat. but the extrusion isnt too expensive and just needs all the fittings transfered from your old mast. that would be the easiest solution
