Broken Mast

[N8KNYC]

Hello, First I want to thank you all for having this forum. Although I've never submitted anything until now I've learned just about everything that I've needed to know about sailing and my Day Sailer I from this website.

But the issue at hand....

I need to tell you that I have absolutely no experience sailing other then the few times that I've been able to take my own boat out. I recently inherited the boat without any instruction so I've been mostly spending time figuring out what I didn't have and how to put what I did have together. After a few months I finally gathered the confidence enough to grab a friend and head to lake Pontchartrain.

Although my pilot trip went well it was bit uninteresting because of a lack of wind. So this past Saturday the same friend and I headed back out and were faced with 7 to 10 knot winds.

It was a great experience...
We learned to handle the boat with ease and found a great deal of pleasure in honing what little experience we had.

Just as we were making our way back to the launch a large gust came though pushing us over quite a bit and speeding us up greatly. We handled well but just as we found our balance the mast snapped in two at about 3/4th of the way from the top at a joint that seems to be held together with a strip of aluminum riveted to both parts.

My question, in two parts, what did I do wrong!!!? The mast is from 1968 and may or may not have had any maintenance but was that the issue or did I miss the boat on rigging it?

The second part is what do I do now? I just fell in love with the boat and became comfortable with her so I have an itch to be on the water as soon as I can.

Thank you in advance....

Nathan

[K.C. Walker]

Okay, I'll jump in here because no one else has. I'm no expert but I think you had a mask that had been previously broken and repaired. The mast should have been a continuous extrusion. I think the only thing you did wrong was to inherent the problem.

What to do next? Look for a new mast.

KC

[Bob Damon]

If the mast was not bent during the break, you can try sleeving it with another section of mast and getting it welded but likely better to just get a used mast to replace it. Keep all the hardware parts and they get pricey! Good luck!

[N8KNYC]

Other then this forum does anyone have any advice on where I can look? Additionally, whats your best advice on how I can make sure I'm getting/asking for the right mast. Did O'Day make only one type of mast for the DS 1? Is there any after market mast that would work?

[Roger]

Dwyer aluminum will be able to match the mast extrusion you need. (DM-284 mast) will match the size of extrusion you need. When you get the mast lay each mast side by each and drill out the rivits on one, and piece by piece measure and replace exactly from one mast to the other laying side by side then rivit the removed hardware to the new extrusion.

http://www.dwyermast.com/families.asp?c ... Name=Masts

Check the specs and measures document under the daysailer association header above for the exact length required. It will be under the handbook section. Mast lengths vary depending on whether it was deck stepped or one piece. 2.84 x 2.12 x ?

You can also get a new mast extrusion from D&R Marine, specific to your boat. Same procedure as above applies.($420)

http://www.drmarine.com/products.asp?cat=123

I agree with previous posters. No DS mast is two piece... you inherited a previously repaired mast. Best to purchase a new extrusion. Good luck with your repair.

[dtrop01]

They are on the west coast (Santa Cruz, CA), but Ballenger Spars (www.ballengerspars.com) also mfgs an extrustion that is used on many west coast boats...of course shipping to where you are might be a bit high. I purchased one when I was living in OKC..right in the middle of both coasts.

[N8KNYC]

Does anyone have any opinions on changing the setup to be a mounted on a hinge? If I were to do it what kind of structural changes would have to be made to the deck to support it properly?

[adam aunins]

I don't think there are any changes that have to be made to the boat if you go with a hinged / Tabernacle mast. I know the racer's don't like them but for ease of set up I love having a hinged mast.

[hriehl1]

I'd also endorse the tabernacle / hinge setup if you will trailer-sail. Makes it much easier to step & un-step the mast.

If however, I were stepping / un-stepping only once per season, I'd go with a one-piece mast arrangement.

[hriehl1]

D&R Marine does sell the tabernacle hinge hardware.

[Bob Hunkins]

The performance of your boat will suffer markedly by going with a hinged mast.

[DS3133]

Hi all - look if interested in a new mast our builder makes a nice replacement. Cape Cod Ship Building - it is simular to an e- section.

Just my 2 Cents,

Good Luck