Quote:
> Hi,
> I have a 75% carbon NP 460 mast, several years old. The top half is
> damaged right near the end - where it attaches to the lower half.
> There is a visible line of damage (like a crack, but not quite the
> same) about 2-3 inches along the direction of the mast.
> Here are the options that have occurred to me. (Getting a new top half
> doesn't seem practical)
> 1. Get some epoxy and make it a (presumably stronger) one-piece mast.
> 2. Try it with the top half of a powerex 100% carbon 460 mast (which
> lost its lower half some time ago.)
> 3. Cut off the last 3 inches and try to see if it will work. (I fear
> it won't since its already a tight fit.) If it doesn't fit then maybe
> cut off the top 3 inches of the lower half of the mast. (And epoxy -
> one piece)
> 4. Trash it. Or wait for someone to break the lower half of the same
> mast.
> Thoughts/suggestions? Thanks in advance
I once repaired a mast which actually split the same way just above the
ferule, using high-quality epoxy (leftovers from boardbuilding) and
unidirectional carbon fibers. Seemed stronger than before and did not
break again to the best of my knowledge - but also did not use the mast
again in any kind of "difficult" conditions (like offshore winds or
currents). Also repaired a mast wich completely broke just above the
boom, using a piece of a lonesome top as ferule. and again leftover
UD-Carbon from boardbuilding. So yes, repairing mast is feasible. Is the
response curve still the same? Probably not. Ist the strength the same
as before? As far as the repaired area is concerned, IF it is done
right: probably yes but it is hard to rule out that the mast has other
damaged areas or that the boundary between repair and original material
is not posing dangers due to unsteady strength/response. So i would not
really recommend DIY jobs on masts if you are not familar with carbon
laminating jobs. So: If in doubt: Option 4. A repaired mast might still
be of good use, together with equally questionable sail and booms, for a
land sailor!
Servus from frozen Bavaria
Wolfgang