Repair & maintenance: carbon mast

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carbon mast

Printed From: Yachts and Yachting Online
Category: General
Forum Name: Repair & maintenance
Forum Discription: Questions & tips on the subject
URL: http://www.yachtsandyachting.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=8609
Printed Date: 14 May 25 at 4:13pm
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 9.665y - http://www.webwizforums.com

Topic: carbon mast

Posted By: winging it
Subject: carbon mast
Date Posted: 01 Dec 11 at 6:27pm

Just got a carbon mast for a europe where the mast head sheave has come out. Should it be fastened back with screws (it is very slim) using some sort of anti corrosive gel, or can it be stuck back with epoxy? The stem bit that goes inside the mast is about an inch and a half long.

This is for da yoof and he is gagging to go sailing in it.

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the same, but different...

Replies:

Posted By: JimC
Date Posted: 01 Dec 11 at 6:40pm

Glue is almost always better than mechanical fasteners - the exception is if the part has to be removable.
If you have to use mechanical fasteners always use bolts rather than screws or rivets.

This is the sort that sockets into the top of the mast is it? If it is a socket type it might be an occasion for a bolt - just a very thin one right through the lot to keep it in place. Obviously needs to be located to miss the halyard which can be tricky. Otherwise something like an impact adhesive might be better than epoxy. This is assuming the glue is to keep it in place rather than take load.

Posted By: jeffers
Date Posted: 02 Dec 11 at 4:38pm

I believe the RS300 boys have a bit of experience in this. There used to be a pcitorial instruction guide on their class website on how to repair a damaged/worn out sheave.

They recommend glueing I seem to recall....

Just checked and the RS300.org site now goes to Le Mare jewellery so I guess it is not longer in use....(not for Rs300's anyway)....

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Paul
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D-Zero GBR 74

Posted By: laser193713
Date Posted: 03 Dec 11 at 7:47pm

Does it need fastening at all? my old 700 had its plug style sheave just pushed in, if you are worried about it being too loose wrap a bit of parcel tape round it to pack it out a bit then just push it into place. No drilling holes, and no epoxy or glue clogging it all up and making it hard to remove

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Posted By: winging it
Date Posted: 03 Dec 11 at 8:21pm

I did wonder about doing that, but ours is a shallow lake, and it is quite wobbly. I would think the halyard tension ought to keep it in place, but I'm not sure. I think we'll have to haul the sail up and have a look.

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the same, but different...

Posted By: laser193713
Date Posted: 03 Dec 11 at 10:41pm

It should be fine, at the end of the day if it comes out you arent going to lose it because there is a halyard through it so it wont be a disaster. If it does ever fall out then maybe drill and bolt it but i would suggest that until then it would be easier and probably better for the mast and the fitting just to pack it with parcel tape. Parcel tape is the tape of choice for loose laser mast sections as it is very thin so it is easier to get it to fit right, this is why i chose it for the job you are doing. It also doesnt leave any sticky gunk in the mast or in the fitting and seems to be harder wearing than pvc tape which is too soft and just peels out of the way when you push the fitting in.

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Posted By: JimC
Date Posted: 03 Dec 11 at 11:11pm

The question in my mind would be whether there would be a problem if it twists in the spar. If that can cause issues - if only of alignment -then I'd want to do something to positively stop that happening.

Posted By: JohnW
Date Posted: 04 Dec 11 at 11:36am

You could stick it in with hot glue. (I used to use it for fixing the handles and sleeves onto carbon oar looms).

If you ever need to remove it, you can soften up the glue with the (very) gentle application of heat from a hot air gun.

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Posted By: laser193713
Date Posted: 05 Dec 11 at 12:27am

Never had a problem with alignment to be honest, it was packed in so tight that it was pretty hard to turn it in the mast. The hot glue idea sounds interesting too though, i would just be worried about getting it in the fitting when trying to melt it out.

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