I have 550cm Pyrde X6 mast which has a broken ferrule (from coming apart whilst rigging and not checking before down hauling). I'm thinking of cutting down as I currently need a 490 mast on which I want to 8.5m Helium which doesn't require a heap of downhaul. Was going to use a old Fibre spare mast top that I have to make the new ferrule with. Any tips and where exactly I should cut the 60cm from bearing in mind it would be easier just to cut the top bit of the bottom section off so I don't need to get the remaining ferrule out. Helium only has two cam and not the end of the world if the mast snaps and destroys the sail as it is pretty old anyway.

It won't work. Curve will change, point of reinforcing will change. Use it as a flag pole and get a new mast.

Select to expand quote

ikw777 said...
It won't work. Curve will change, point of reinforcing will change. Use it as a flag pole and get a new mast.

I have repaired a cracked (bent) ferrule by sleeving it with an old mast. I tapered the ends of the sleeve to eliminate a hard point and there was no noticeable change in bend curve or performance. In fact I used it many times in my slalom sails until I changed over to rdm's.

^^^ +1 to both of those.
Make a new ferrule maybe, but don't cut it down.

I "modified" a new $800 mast yesterday and was not very happy. Involuntary modification..... so I feel your pain.

I found a bit of info on fixing the ferrule, and what have I got to lose. Bit of practice on a mast that is worthless, and have a spare mast tip from another accident a few years back. If I did fix the ferrule however could I cut say 50cm off the bottom to at least make it a 500 mast. I know the boom reinforcing may be out of place but willing to risk not a lot. Hopefully a short extension would still fit.

Nup...... race masts break enough without putting the boom in the wrong area. Plus curve (and diameter for cams) is more critical than other sails so it will just be horrid. Maybe 25cm, not 50.

Thanks Sausage,IKW.
Thanks Mark, hope everything goes well with hip job. Scott sounded happy reading his article in windsurf mag a 6 months or so back. Just in the process of changing to severne so didn't want to spend any more money on Pyrde gear at the moment, just have to put up with 2.5m gap between my 7.5m and 10m for a while.

Select to expand quote

Mark _australia said...
Nup...... race masts break enough without putting the boom in the wrong area. Plus curve (and diameter for cams) is more critical than other sails so it will just be horrid. Maybe 25cm, not 50.

That and the fact your extension probably won't fit into the smaller diameter end you've now created. Just another idea, have you thought about making a mast extender to get you4 smaller mast to work. Maybe even make a tip extender.

PS mark, you should watch 4 corners tonight re: hip replacements.

Select to expand quote

Mark _australia said...
^^^ +1 to both of those.
Make a new ferrule maybe, but don't cut it down.

I "modified" a new $800 mast yesterday and was not very happy. Involuntary modification..... so I feel your pain.

What brand, and how?

You haven't broken an Ezzy have you!

Not Ezzy. Jump (and not a hyoooj big one), mast bottom split and extension went in a lot farther than it should
I will not be naming until warranty claim is sorted or otherwise, as anything can have a defect.