Broken Mast#**!@? NOT!

Howdy!

We are blessed with 2 AI's, which we tow on a Hobie trailer. The masts are strapped to 2 cradles, which support the masts at their 1st and 3rd quarters.

On a recent trip to Lake Powell, we did a gonzo 700+ mile drive from Jackson Hole to get there. Upon arrival at the Hall's Crossing campground, you can only imagine our dismay to see one mast had broken in the middle during the drive. Pushing the broken ends around through the sail cover proved the break was complete. Bummer.

Apparently, road vibration and flexing on the long highway drive had taken a heavy toll. Bummer. Going to sleep, we made plans to tow one boat while sailing the other.

Next morning, we took the mast out of its bag to store the pieces inside our vehicle. We found... The mast wasn't broken!

Road vibration had pushed the mast base against the cord lock at the bag's opening. The cord lock loosened up a bit, allowing the mast base to slide out a few inches. Turns out the mast is composed of two pieces, which had then become separated. Nothing was broken, and nothing was strained.

Here's how to keep this from happening to you.

After putting the mast in it's bag, cinch the cord lock as tight as you can. THEN, simply tie a single overhand knot in the excess cord and slide the knot up as close to the cord lock as possible. This prevents the cord lock from backing off, and is easy to untie.

Happy Trails!

Chris

_________________
And in the end,
the love you take,
is equal to the love,
you make...
--The Beatles

I taped the two halves of our masts together. Prevents them from rotating independently of one another, which can be a problem in strong winds when reefing. The bottom of the sail furls, but the top is dragged along in the furling operation only by the friction between the two pieces and the strength of the sail. It can partially unfurl the top of the sail and put some weird stresses on the sail material. I decided the friction of some tape would be a good addition.