I finally get to post a "stuck" thread.

Put a NP mast base on, as I usually do, firm, snug, not too tight. And now it's well and truly stuck. I've nasty blisters on thumbs. Vice won't grip it properly.

i imagine there's a tiny bit of sand got trapped. How the hell do I get this thing off?

(just to be clear; not the mast, not the extension, the base is stuck to the board (at least it's in the middle))

It happen to me once, it was a Chinook type.l think l over tighten it. I put the extension back on (cup type) not euro pin.called a fellow windsurfer over & used some brutal twist force.It worked.p.s l don't over tighten the bases anymore.it was a drama.

A buddy helped me do this once and I did it again. Was still at the beach both times.

Took the extension and aligned the top (smooth end) on one of the knobs/flutes of the mast base and hit the bottom of the mast extension with my palm. Loosened it just enough so I could unscrew it as normal. He had a small mallet when he did it. Just tried not to lose control of the mast extension and dent the board. Both times it worked. I wonder if the heat had caused the board to expand a little. May help to cool it off but I don't know, haven't had it that stuck.

Try tapping, whatever you would push with thumb, with a rubber mallet and may need a piece of wood if the mallet head is too big. The shockwaves from tapping it will break it free. Also works on any stuck bolt, or a water-heater pipe, basically like an impact tool.

It probably has some radial spoky bits to turn it with. Drill a small hole through one of them from the side. Tie a loop of high strength string to it. Stick a long screw driver in the loop and lever it on the uni to turn it.
You can leave the loop there for next time.

pic of what is stuck...

Select to expand quote

GasHazard said..
It probably has some radial spoky bits to turn it with. Drill a small hole through one of them from the side. Tie a loop of high strength string to it. Stick a long screw driver in the loop and lever it on the uni to turn it.
You can leave the loop there for next time.

One of my cheap mechanical bases we use for foiling has a loop built in, use it exactly for that.
Here's an example of one with a tendon, same brand (BIC).

make a rough C Clamp out of a chunk of wood .
I can give plans

Had happened to me the first couple of uses of a new Chinook baseplate (I don't think it has anything to do with the brand though). After derigging I have put my extension with the top (the bit that goes in to the mast) under an angle against the bit of the baseplate where you would put your fingers to unscrew. Then just slightly tap on the extension until you have the plate moving.

Has worked for me every time.