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RS600: separating seized mast

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dohertpk View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Quote dohertpk Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Topic: RS600: separating seized mast
    Posted: 20 Aug 14 at 7:15pm
Hi all,
Has anyone any experience with separating an RS600 mast? The previous owner didn't use the reefing system at all so I think it's been ages since it's been separated. Is this a lost cause? Would like to be able to sail in more wind...

Cheers,
Peter
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simsy View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Quote simsy Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 20 Aug 14 at 8:05pm
I may be thinking of a different story but I think I remember somebody telling me they used their car tethered to one end of the mast and the mast attached to a suitable fixed object, to separate.

I won't be held responsible for being wrong though. Wink
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Post Options Post Options   Quote dohertpk Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 20 Aug 14 at 8:19pm
Crikey. That sounds like a recipe for an exploding few feet of carbon and/or a shattered rear window. There has to be a less risky way, no?
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Post Options Post Options   Quote dohertpk Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 20 Aug 14 at 9:19pm
Also, I don't a car. Is there any alternative method?
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Rob.e View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Quote Rob.e Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 20 Aug 14 at 9:25pm
Go on the RS 600 yahoo group, there will be loads of people who have done it: there is all sorts of advice including using heat and ice. personally I have separated a number of RS100 masts and I just alternated water from a hose from each end of the mast, with WD40 and bending the mast at the joint while you do it. When we came back from the 100 nationals at Parkstone we brought back a 100 mast from the IOM that 6 people had tried to pull apart by force, and me and the Saturday girl separated it over the course of the morning by just gently keeping on at it as above- we didn't get frustrated or annoyed, we didn't butcher it and we didn't give up, in the end it came apart quite easily! It is only microscopic bits of sand and mud jamming it usually so just persevere.
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Post Options Post Options   Quote dohertpk Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 20 Aug 14 at 9:40pm
Thanks for that Rob - having trouble accessing the RS 600 yahoo group. Flushing it out is a good idea, although I've read elsewhere that WD40 is bad for carbon (correct me if I'm wrong!). I just need to separate the mast for reefing. Is there any reason I can't simply zip up the sail and use it on the full length mast? I know I'd have a big gap between the boom and the sail, but is there any reason it wouldn't be sailable?
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2547 View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Quote 2547 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 20 Aug 14 at 11:17pm
Trouble with the old 600 masts RS in their wisdom used an alloy stump and there is a reaction between carbon and ally and the stumps fused to the masts making separation very difficult. 

These days they have learnt and the stumps are carbon.

Separation is a mix of hot and cold water lube and pulling and flexing. Good luck. 


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Post Options Post Options   Quote Neptune Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 21 Aug 14 at 8:45am
Originally posted by 2547

Trouble with the old 600 masts RS in their wisdom used an alloy stump and there is a reaction between carbon and ally and the stumps fused to the masts making separation very difficult. 

These days they have learnt and the stumps are carbon.

Separation is a mix of hot and cold water lube and pulling and flexing. Good luck. 



That was only the elliptical shaped angel masts with the aluminium sleeve - all the superspars ones had a carbon sleeve.  If its an angel mast then leave it.

For the superspars mast then use the holes in the mast for the boom bolt and rope through there and the halyard at the other end - couple of ratchet straps to something very immovable and gently tap the side of the section with a piece of wood and it should come apart slowly.

Once apart clean all the grit out - give the mast a good flush and i always used Vaseline on the joint and took it apart every few months even though i didn't reef it in 3 years.


Edited by Neptune - 21 Aug 14 at 8:52am
Musto Skiff and Solo sailor
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Post Options Post Options   Quote MattK Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 21 Aug 14 at 11:03am

Concrete Block

Forklift


Drive the forklift away from the concrete block

Success


Edited by MattK - 21 Aug 14 at 11:06am
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JimC View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Quote JimC Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 21 Aug 14 at 11:36am
I seem to recognise some of those people...
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