I've noticed a slight bend in my mast.
Unrigged, you really struggle to see it but once the downhaul is cranked on full you can really see it. It leans to port. Here's a picture:
Now, the boat seems to sail fine in this condition. I have not noticed any tendency to sail differently on one tack or the other, nor have I noticed the mast failing to rotate or anything like that. Everything seems normal, except for the slight visible lean under rig tension.
From searching these forums, I appear to have three options: A) do nothing. B) try to "bend it back" using jacks or comealongs or any number of other techniques. or C) this is an 1981, unretrofitted metal mast, I could lop it off and put a CompTip on it.
Given the picture, what thoughts do people have? Obviously my short term plan is "do nothing," but I took pictures today and wanted to see if anyone had anything to say on the subject.
Thanks all.
Ian