split the mast

Paul have you swam to shore yet? or is your mast holding up? Any pictues of those holes that were drilled into masts to let out water? Unfortuntly I have been grounded from sailing any more this summer. not the fault of sailing but I just had back surgery. So my wave is just sitting on it's very own boat lift all alone ready for someone to come and sail her. any one want to try out a wave in south dakota?

I forgot to get back with a report.
The welded repair on the lower mast was a sucess. Lasted the whole season in choppy and gusty conditions, and is still looking strong.

I would definitely recommned at least trying to weld the mast, before purchasing new.
BUt, to prevent the problem in the first place, get the water out of your mast before storing it in the cold.
- happy sailing (but not until next summer for me)

Paul B. did the welder use TIG or MIG welding? There has been some discussion of the merits of each on another thread but not a definitive answer.

Is that a plate welded on over the welded crack, too?

Your success is good news for me. Same thing happened to my H14 mast (before I bought it, and I didn't notice the 4" crack just up from the bottom when I inspected it).

_________________
Bruce

Sorry, haven't looked at the forum for a while.

I wasn't there when he actually did the welding, but I believe it was TIG.

The welds aaround the split, the rectangular shape, are just welds.
He thought that may give a little more strength to the mast. Who knows, it has worked so far.

thanks for asking, and happy sailing, Paul B.