Standard mast to SX size

My old SX mast's comptip broke.

If I got a standard size all aluminium mast, what' the best solution to put an 18 inch extension atop to go SX size?

Surely some SX fanatic has done this?

P.S. - I don't want to cut the standard alu mast and stick a comptip on it..only reason I'd want comptip is to get (myself) schooled at the Nats in Ocean Springs...

Why not just replace the broken comptip on the SX mast?

I'm not aware of any proven way to successfully splice two pieces of aluminum mast together. You'd need an aluminum sleeve section that matches the inside profile of the 18's mast. Who knows, maybe a 16 or 17 mast would fit inside (sans luff track). Seems like more trouble than its worth because you're still going to have to do some major mods to the solid 18 mast - move the diamond wires, spreaders and mast tang, plus whatever rivets and/or epoxy that you use to install your "tip extension". Plus consider that you would be essentially taking three good aluminum mast sections (the two 18 masts and whatever mast you use as a sleeve) and turning them into one frankensteined mast. Also the mast bend is going to be totally out of whack at your splice.

If it were me, I'd either just replace the comptip, or convert the boat into a standard 18. If you're talking about racing, you pretty much need to have a standard rig anyway, there's currently no SX one-design racing to speak of.

Maybe you can find an old 20 mast to convert.

sm

I have thought this over many times. The best option IMO is to add a solid section to the SX lower mast assy. If a section was created with a sleeve it would fit just like the comptip does, tang rivets thru both. There are many 2 piece mast designs so the sleeve should work without affecting bend, especially as it would be at the top of the diamonds. I would see it as a welded on sleeve so that would mean a heattreat for the upper section. I still have the piece cut off for a comptip from an SE mast, should be the right length, might give it a try!

Great idea w/the comptip... now it's kind of obvious.

Find a comptip w/the TOP busted....

...and use the lower 18 inches. Glass/epox the top, put the halyard hook on... and there you go.

Don't think I'd bother w/moving diamonds, etc...

Seems very possible. Am I nuts ?

I guess a lot of it comes down to what you're able to find and at what price. You're still going to have to find a solid aluminum mast in good condition (these haven't been made in 25 years) and a comptip that's broken where you need it to be broken (i.e. at least 18" above the ferrule). Plus you're still left with a lower section of an SX mast that is doing nothing for you.

As far as the nitty gritty of what you're physically talking about doing, I can think of a couple problems, but the main one is going to be mounting the halyard hook on the top of the comptip "stump". The 18 comptips are tapered so the fit and position of the hook will not be the same 18" up from the ferrule as it would be all the way at the top of the mast. Plus the hook relys on the mast head cap for structural support. The rivets for the hook go into and bear against the aluminum mast cap. This is important as it keeps the rivets from otherwise pulling through the fiberglass comptip. The mast cap isn't going to fit properly onto your chopped comptip, again due to the taper of the comptip. So you're going to have to develop your own custom mast head cap and plug.

sm

I may have a line on a new-old-stock comptip that was purchased years ago but never installed / used. I should know tonight, hopefully. Might be simpler just to keep everything stock.

You can't add a comptip section to a comptip, impossible and flimsy. You can't create a SX mast out of an SE. You can make a solid SX mast, which is what I was describing. The comptip is crap and adding more crap on crap gives you ____!

I sail a squaretop on the SX stick and absolutely hate the tip. It affects sail shape and downhaul power, not to mention the sail raising issues inherent with the SX mast. I currently only have one SX stick and am looking for another to try and create the perfect solid 29'6" mast. I may just by a SX thats local and part the boat out to get the mast and the SX rating for open class racing. The SX rigged like mine is an open class sleeper, it will correct out over almost anything. I must currently race as SE with 4 hits, almost the Tiger rating.

Ok I'm w/you all on the halyard hook's integration w/the top of the sheave assembly at top of the comptip.

And I see the 18inch extension w/internal sleeve to slide into top of the SX mast section just like a comptip would.

I'm at no loss for parts, and I have a spare H14 mast which I'd have to measure for a potential sleeve portion. I've got access to a solid SE stick, and I've got my old SX alu mast as well... along w/the current SE comtip & rigging. And maybe even a comptip w/a busted top....depends how well the current repair holds....

Well great discussion and yes, ncmbm I'm thinking to check out the sleeve option and
1. maybe w/a H14 section sans sail track for the sleeve
2. use 18 inches from my old frankenstein SE to SX conversion mast for the extension at top.

(my orig SX mast was an old all alu SE cut down, comptip installed and diamonds, etc moved up - that's how I got the boat... but hulls are '92 and SX wings..don't REALLY know if it was SX from the factory)

thanks! I'm not the only one looking for a solid 29'6" mast...
wonder if a tiger mast swap is realistic.

Yes, the Tiger mast conversion has been done. "Jack Flash" on the gulf coast ran a tiger stick, the boat has been stolen. I have had no luck finding a tiger mast on the east coast, the boats are not old enough yet.

The tiger stick conversion just requires base replacement and adding a hook at the top. Better spreader and diamond system, plus a solid stick. I believe SX rigging will fit.

Update: the comptip I knew of is gone (sold & used up). Best of luck to whatever you finally decide!