Hi everyone, I just bought an old O'Brien Freesail board (I'm not sure if the "Blue Thunder" part is important, but I think it's awesome!)

It has everything, but the mast connection is broken. I believe it's the U-Joint that snapped off. It's the piece that comes out of what I think is the mast track and attaches to the mast. Can you guys let me know how to fix that piece?

Any help is greatly appreciated!

Here's another picture

Does this help? The red circle is the piece that is broken and the arrow shows where it should poke out. Any ideas where I can find this piece?

Hi,

the lack of response probably indicates the amount of knowledge that exists today for this type of mast track system.

Your best bet is probably to retrofit the mast track with something thats compatable with modern systems. If you can rip out the current mast base system and replace it with a fin box you will be able to use a modern mast base on your board.

Other than that, from the pictures it looks like some form of machining and manufacturing is needed.

THANK YOU! At least that gives me somewhere to start. I appreciate it.

Can you remove the circled part?

In any case you will probably need to get a modern mast extension, with a modern uni joint / mast base, then try to make the modern base attach to the board somehow.

Do you have a windsurfing shop nearby? They often have a bin of secondhand extensions/bases that might be suitable.

i can fit a standard boge uni joint to that in my workshop on the gold coast if that interests you. it is a fairly straightforward job and i do them all the time.
you just have to post me the base.

call 0755313199 and ask for ian.

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greenleader said...

i can fit a standard boge uni joint to that in my workshop on the gold coast if that interests you. it is a fairly straightforward job and i do them all the time.
you just have to post me the base.

call 0755313199 and ask for ian.

This is an offer I don't think you should refuse. No structural work and minimum effort on your behalf.

If you can't send it to Qld find your nearest sailboard shop and buy these bits and have a fiddle. The broken phallic thing (old uni) should be able to be pushed out sideways. You may need to fiddle with washer sizes. Threaded rod at the bottom may also need to be lengthened (use a long bolt and cut to size). Only use stainless bits! I use to convert a few similar ones too in the '80s.

If all else fails send it to greenleader!

yep, thats the way you do it!

thanks to nosinkanow for his instructional!

i just do it because i used to sell those boards decades ago.
somehow i feel responsible.

Thank you guys SO MUCH! I will have to talk to my Dad because he's helping me fix it :) He used to windsurf back in the early 80's. If he can't do it, I may just send it to you, Greenleader.

Nosinkanow, thank you for taking the time to make that diagram from my pictures.

You guys are awesome!

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bluethunder said...

Thank you guys SO MUCH! I will have to talk to my Dad because he's helping me fix it :) He used to windsurf back in the early 80's. If he can't do it, I may just send it to you, Greenleader.

Nosinkanow, thank you for taking the time to make that diagram from my pictures.

You guys are awesome!

No problem, probably took me longer to dolly up the pics than to perform a real mod!
That's one of the more secure deck inserts I've seen for that type of block style, it's a good one. Yeah get your dad involved he'll most probably want to have a test sail to check his handy work. Y'never know he might get back into it like I did.

Send us a pic of it being sailed OK?! Good luck with it.