exhogger Posted March 19, 2012 Report Share Posted March 19, 2012 The mast of my 4.0s Mari is bent ! Using a string line it is bent laterally by 35mm at mid length. With the sail raised and pulling on the downhaul it bends further. While sailing the mast doesn't rotate when the boom goes over. How do I straighten it, or am I in trouble ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
knobblyoldjimbo Posted March 19, 2012 Report Share Posted March 19, 2012 they are bendy! on my 4.3 it is straight when the mast is lying on the ground and when first raised with no real tension on the stays. the foot of the mast in the mast step can move easily from stop to stop. with the Eastwind sail as I raise it the mast bends (and the more battens that go into the track the more bend I get) - this means that when up there is a bend. when I attach the downhaul and mainsheet - pulling on the downhaul creates more bend and pulling on the mainsheet creates more bend still. with both pulled in tight the mast is bent and the sail is quite flat. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
exhogger Posted March 19, 2012 Author Report Share Posted March 19, 2012 Yes KOJ, I have seen from you experienced sailors on this forum that mast bend is desirable but in the fore and aft plane and I assume that is what you are talking about. Mine has a sideways bend and it has it when it is lying on the ground !. I have seen on youtube some guys straightening masts by raising one end then just applying force in the middle to fix the prob. Whether this is the way to go with the Mari mast I'm not sure. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
korwich Posted March 19, 2012 Report Share Posted March 19, 2012 Hey hogger I have to straighten my mast about every second time I sail, luckily where I sail has a mast straightening set up. Its called a tree with branches or 2 trees growing close together or some fence posts. Put your mast between them and pull the end (I normally pull the top) sideways to straighten, sight your mast down the track and adjust as necessary. You need to put the apex of the bend against the limb/trunk closest to you, if you need, use towels or cushions to protect your mast against the tree/fence post. After you have pulled and sighted make sure that you lay the mast both ways to check it for straight, as it will sag both ways, you need to get equal sag in both directions. Do not overdo the mast pulling they will bend suprisingly easily. Have fun Phil Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
exhogger Posted March 19, 2012 Author Report Share Posted March 19, 2012 Thanks Phil, I'm off to find the nearest recently calibrated, digitaly enhanced, OHS approved, officially designated mast straightening tree to make the necessery adjustments. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
darcy1945 Posted March 19, 2012 Report Share Posted March 19, 2012 Another method is to support both ends about 30 cm high and put your weight (sit) on the centre of the bend, you will have to bounce to get the bend out, some times 2 bodies are required, if you use the tree method be careful as you risk kinking the mast. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Posted March 19, 2012 Report Share Posted March 19, 2012 I agree with Darcy - kinking the mast is a real risk if you use trees or fence posts. To minimise this risk I use the top of a sand dune and a bloke on each end of the mast. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
exhogger Posted March 20, 2012 Author Report Share Posted March 20, 2012 The bend in the mast is uniform from one end to the other. There is no kink or bend at any particular point. I am nearly 300k's from the nearest sand dune but I get the idea about pressure at one point possibly causing a kink. All advice is greatfully recieved. Ross Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Posted March 20, 2012 Report Share Posted March 20, 2012 You could try bending it over a spare wheel. If the tyre is deflated a bit then it will have a much softer "hard" spot than a tree of fence post and so you are less likely to kink the mast as you try and straighten it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
exhogger Posted March 20, 2012 Author Report Share Posted March 20, 2012 Jobs done! Geez it bends a long way. The end had to be pulled down 4 -5 feet ! Don't laugh but to get enough travel I had to put one end, padded of course, under the 4WD chassis rail, and used the 4th step of a folding ladder as the fulcrum, again padded. Using the MK1 eyeball straightened it bit by bit, no kinks. Thanks to all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
exhogger Posted March 20, 2012 Author Report Share Posted March 20, 2012 Thats easy for you to say !! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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