Heya. I recently geared up with a cheap 1980' aluminum mast which I thought was pretty rad. For 15 bucks, can't find any cheaper really... but then this generous fella saw me with it and offered me a carbon one which he said would be better. I honestly don't know the difference, I mean, the luminium is about 4-5kg lighter and that's all I was going for. But carbon is apparently more popular or something? What reasons would it be better? More solid maybe? Has anyone had any bad experience with amulimilium masts before they want to share to enlighten me a bit plz.

Some of those older aluminium masts work OK.
One problem is they can rust (corrode )on the inside and they can just snap.
A thing to remember is mast flex characteristics .
Alloy is old school and I don't know how u would go matching to new sails.
If your just floating around with a old sail it will be perfect
ps . 4 to 5 kg lighter ? , that's one solid carbon mast !

I thought about that... snapping. It looks in ok condition idk. I won't be going too far offshore then. As for the weight, well, that's just my guesstimate. I haven't actually went and tried it on the scale... but I know lighter makes it easier.. until I can afford to gear up a shiny new mast. The only problem with matching up old gears is that I probably could end up putting my life in peril. Which is why my best friend is this BCF waterproof phone cover I got for 10$... I can always wrestle the sharks and call 000 if im stuck.

Now you got me thinking... what about spraying it inside out with some sealant, some oil or silicone stuff could give it a few more years life (?)... meh, might be worth a try.

Alum masts were very stiff, and a very short lived thing. Rushwind and North used them a lot for race sails.

The corrosion is a real issue, but even if not corroded the metal fatigue from constant cycling is a problem. So spraying the inside ain't gonna save you I reckon.

I would not use it for anything other than beginners uphauling kinda stuff.

Fair enough on calm days maybe .

I cant uphaul much with the sinking board I got or I'll be waist down in the water. So yeah. I kinda assumed all that you guys said. But it's good to check with the experts. Cheers

It has a good bend tho.. im quite happy for 15$

Did you mention you were using a timber boom? You may be better sticking with a timber mast also? Obviously use a lighter wood, not jarrah.

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Mark _australia said..

The corrosion is a real issue, but even if not corroded the metal fatigue from constant cycling is a problem. So spraying the inside ain't gonna save you I reckon.

Right on. Aluminium does not rust, it corrodes. The most common type of corrosion in aluminium is pitting. Tiny little holes form across the surface and penetrate into the aluminium. A small crack begins between two pits, and then keeps growing. A bit like joining the dots. Put the pits in a high stress area and your safety margin goes out the window.

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waytata said..
Heya. I recently geared up with a cheap 1980' aluminum mast which I thought was pretty rad. For 15 bucks, can't find any cheaper really... but then this generous fella saw me with it and offered me a carbon one which he said would be better. I honestly don't know the difference, I mean, the luminium is about 4-5kg lighter and that's all I was going for. But carbon is apparently more popular or something? What reasons would it be better? More solid maybe? Has anyone had any bad experience with amulimilium masts before they want to share to enlighten me a bit plz.

still not sure this isn't a troll
with constant questions like these

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joe windsurf said..

waytata said..
Heya. I recently geared up with a cheap 1980' aluminum mast which I thought was pretty rad. For 15 bucks, can't find any cheaper really... but then this generous fella saw me with it and offered me a carbon one which he said would be better. I honestly don't know the difference, I mean, the luminium is about 4-5kg lighter and that's all I was going for. But carbon is apparently more popular or something? What reasons would it be better? More solid maybe? Has anyone had any bad experience with amulimilium masts before they want to share to enlighten me a bit plz.

still not sure this isn't a troll
with constant questions like these

Smelling pretty trolly I would think

What do you mean "constant questions like these"? This is my first forum question ever. Am I expected to know everything from the start? Im just a beginner. Cut me some slack please.

my humble apologies
suggest you go to the beach and chat with locals
even better than forum

Don't take it out in a thunderstorm.....

I've always liked the sound of an aluminum mast snapping, very different than a FG or carbon mast, those snap w/o much noise, but an Aluminum one, it's like a gun being shot, it can be heard from pretty far away.

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Sputnik11 said..
Don't take it out in a thunderstorm.....

100 % Carbon isn't good in a thunderstorm.

Some aluminum masts were constant curve, so it's not all a washout. Rotho Golds were excellent, and Mistral Gold was usable with modern sails.
North made silver/gray that was flex top, so only good for flex top mast designed sails.
As for corrosion, the key was allowing the inside of the mast to dry between usages, or at least within a week each time. Open air, no bag, allowed evaporation, and most aluminum masts lasted well over 5 year's without a corrosion problem. Yes, they can break in the surf, or through hard impacts on falls.
All masts break, so make sure your inhaul connection is not tight, but snug. Any distortion of thee masts round shape leads to breakage.

I used it while learning to get into straps and harness. Worked fine. Gave it away so not to be ridiculed.
But as the guys said - stick close to the shore.

The alu mast was (weight wise) a half way between 30% carbon and 45% carbon masts. It was reasonably light. - 2.4kg or something.

Thanks for the infos... im glad i got both aluminum and carbon. This is the brand... I'm not sure what the specs are on bends etc...

Looks a bit like a jousting stick.


What's he asking ? $15 .... tell 'im he's dreamin'











(I bet the resident yanks and Canadians don't understand)

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waytata said..
Thanks for the infos... im glad i got both aluminum and carbon. This is the brand... I'm not sure what the specs are on bends etc...

I had quite a few of those Gold serfiac masts in the '80's. They were a slight flex top from memory and 460-25 (460 long and 25 MCS stiffness).

They were reasonably light at just over 2kg and worked well with the sails of the day. A good, sound one would probably work fine in a modern sail.

But, eventually, they all got pitting corrosion and snapped. I have still got the remains of a couple in the form of alloy mast tip extensions, and 'whole' one that is stitting in the roof of my shed as hanging rail. I certainly would not be game to actually sail with it.

Bin it , when they snap there are some very sharp edges that will cut through your sail or body. Two injuries in particular I remember, 1 severed tendons in the hand and 1 nasty gash in the thigh. Go the carbon

I've still got a red serfiac mast.

....Now it's a flag pole on the upper deck.

Don't use it, a mate had one break many years ago that slashed him across the chest, nasty

Ouch. Nasty.

Serfiac, that's the brand.
Green stiff flex top.
Gold soft flex top, which works on all CC designed sails.
While aluminum can explode and leave sharp shards, so can carbon fiber masts when they break, and broken carbon masts often get stuck in the sleeve of the sail, making it difficult to remove and derig. Little difference between the sharp broken ends of carbon or aluminum.
Don't play with sharp knives.
If that IS your mast, cut 3" off the bottom, then look inside the mast with a strong flashlight. Look for white pits, raised over the corrosion spots. If there are any, don't use the mast far from shore. Most masts break near the bottom, or just above the boom connection.

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Carantoc said..
Looks a bit like a jousting stick.


What's he asking ? $15 .... tell 'im he's dreamin'











(I bet the resident yanks and Canadians don't understand)

Well if u get it for half price

Now I want an aluminium board.

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kato said..
Bin it , when they snap there are some very sharp edges that will cut through your sail or body. Two injuries in particular I remember, 1 severed tendons in the hand and 1 nasty gash in the thigh. Go the carbon

They make a great sound when the snap. Sounds like a gun going off.

I had two break in the dim dark past, luckily only sail damage. The alarming thing is it might look perfect on the outside- until BANG.