Mast Repair

[hurly-burly]

Have a small hole (bout the size of a thumb tack) in my mast and would appreciate any advise on best way to repair (no need for dirty responses here!!!). Should it be aluminium welded, plugged with some super duper putty, etc.??

Thanks

HB

[Pointed Reply]

If small enough, put a rivet in it, with some sealant. Why is the hole there ? It may mean that the mast leaks in other areas so when it capsizes the mast fills with water and this hole is to drain it. A cat with a mast full of water is almost impossible to right. As well as fixing the big hole you may need to reseal all the rivets.

[hurly-burly]

Yes this was the very first question I asked myself...where the bl**#y hell did that come from! It's about 2 inches away from the mast hound, am pretty sure the hole has nothing to do with the hound though. Capsized twice about 4 weeks ago in Botany Bay so may have happened then but can't be sure (didn't turtle). Only been out once since then and didn't seem to take water but was in light winds and noticed the hole at the end of day. Just had another look now and it's marginally bigger than a rivet (say 6mm diameter), so may need another repair option. I might try an aluminimum weld repair plus silicon all other rivets just to be sure.

Thanks again.

HB

[darcy1945]

It sounds like internal corrosion, if so it will be to thin to weld and a weld there will weaken the mast try a 1/4 alloy rivet first, otherwise fill the hole with Selleys 'kneadit' (any hardware store) that will keep the water out for a few more years untill it breaks .

[hurly-burly]

Good call - cheers. Visual inspection does make me think you are right and internal corrosion has occurred (even more reason to have sealed all rivets).

HB