Regularly check whether the aluminum mast is worth looking for signs of wear, which can cause the mast to break and cause serious damage, let alone disrupt any activities you participate in. We talked with Pete Jary of Zest Boatworks to find out what are common problems...
"Check if the head pulley block is worn, if it rotates properly, and if the sling does not fall off the side of the pulley. These are replaceable parts, so you can buy a new head pulley. On this mast, you can see To the level where the rope is on the wooden block."
"Check if it rotates correctly and the bearings are not in. When inspecting the mast, also check the condition of the spinnaker sling. Also look for signs of corrosion where the exit is cut out on the mast. At a suitable location for the pulley block, Especially around the screws and rivets. Also check that all parts are tight, for example, here I can unscrew one of the screws by hand."
Use the laser bar to check all accessories and inserts. The missing rivets and all signs of corrosion should be resolved.
"The shield is the highest load point on the mast, and then the forest reserve. Please check for signs of corrosion between stainless steel and aluminum-as you can see on this mast, there are many cracks entering around the shield hole-this It will only get worse. Eventually the cracks will extend all the way around the mast and encounter the other side that also starts to crack. This is caused by the corrosion between the aluminum and stainless steel fittings. -The terminal needs to be removed, the corrosion removed, and then You need to put in a new anti-corrosion compound, such as Duralac or Tef-Gel, and then reinstall the accessories. This special mast has begun to crack and can only continue to be used to make it worse."
"Check again for signs of corrosion between stainless steel and aluminum around the fittings. At the place where the rivet holes were installed, something happened under the spreader bracket. The mast is old and the stainless steel spreader has corrosion on both sides of the anode. Signs that the bracket may need to take off to see what is happening underneath it, and then a corrosion-resistant composite material is applied. This spreader bracket looks like it was added later because its shape is not correct, so it is very There may not be any anti-corrosion compounds on it."
The spreader itself is usually covered with tape to prevent the spinnaker from getting caught, but this will hide the following problem: "Too much tape will prevent you or the rain from washing the salt from the spreader. Any place where stainless steel and aluminum are together Should be kept salt-free."
"Like other points, check for corrosion between the stainless steel gooseneck joint and the mast aluminum. This looks okay, but we are starting to see white bubbles around the edge where the aluminum starts to corrode. The joint needs to be removed. After cleaning, Apply anti-corrosion material first, and then put it back on the mast."
"We have a square, and we have seen it moved three to four times and pulled out due to corrosion underneath. They should be 5mm holes, and they are now very big."
"The feet of the mast may be full of sand and dirt, and the mast is connected to the mast with three stainless steel screws. You can see the corrosion happening. I want to know if its service life has been washed."
This is a five-minute inspection, which can save your activities, and if the mast fails, it can save a lot of time and money. Make sure to check your spars regularly for signs of wear and corrosion, and carry out necessary repairs and maintenance to keep everything in top condition.
Post time: Dec-09-2020