had a big stack last week in which i broke my uni joint and boom clamp. I have now noticed a slight "kink" in this mast where the sleeve is at the joint. Has anybody had this happen and is it likely to end up snapping thus leaving me in the sh1t ???

I have a mast where the ferule is at an angle in the bottom section if that is what you mean. Didn't used to be and has continued ok. Doesn't wobble, just at an angle. It does not inspire me with confidence though.

Select to expand quote

Richiefish said...

had a big stack last week in which i broke my uni joint and boom clamp. I have now noticed a slight "kink" in this mast where the sleeve is at the joint. Has anybody had this happen and is it likely to end up snapping thus leaving me in the sh1t ???

Prolly! If the mast is 'kinked', chances are the carbon has either broken, or is being held in near breaking point by the fibreglass outer skin. I just don't trust any windsurfing equipment with visual defects anymore....especially masts!

Sorry, I'm usually an optimist, but over the last 6 months:
---I've snapped 2 masts
---Cracked a boom
---Snapped another boom (breadstick snap)
---I now notice my current boom is very bent (both arms!)
---I've got major compression issues on the deck of my board!
---Just finished rhinoplasty on my other board!

The ridiculous thing is, I'm not a wave sailor, just flatwater & chop-hopping!

Select to expand quote

Richiefish said...

had a big stack last week in which i broke my uni joint and boom clamp. I have now noticed a slight "kink" in this mast where the sleeve is at the joint. Has anybody had this happen and is it likely to end up snapping thus leaving me in the sh1t ???

My friend, you are screwed.

Ask yourself this: Do you want to (a) enjoy the pleasures of breaking a mast while out sailing, (b) experience the thrill of having it break on the beach while rigging, on the best day of the year, or (c) man up and buy a new one - you can always keep the kinked one as a last-resort backup.

Life is all about choices.

Unless its alloy (from yonks ago) chuck it!!!!!!!!
I had a small crack in a FS carbon mast and it went bang just rigging up.
Not worth the worry or the added risk of trashing your sail when it goes.

I've had the exact same thing, and because I was so skint at the time continued sailing with it for a while. All was good until one day I rigged up, turned my back on the rig for a second and the mast finally gave up - the whole lot came apart. At that point I wasn't just looking for a new mast but also for a repair to a sail as well where the mast when through the mast-sleeve. Quite pleased it happened on dry land though - I was heading out into an offshore breeze in Dahab, where if you break something it is a LONG swim home.... I would say replace it dude If you don't, the chances are that you'll regret it - afterall, something's already bust.

Select to expand quote

Sailhack said...


Sorry, I'm usually an optimist, but over the last 6 months:
---I've snapped 2 masts
---Cracked a boom
---Snapped another boom (breadstick snap)
---I now notice my current boom is very bent (both arms!)
---I've got major compression issues on the deck of my board!
---Just finished rhinoplasty on my other board!

The ridiculous thing is, I'm not a wave sailor, just flatwater & chop-hopping!

not to mention the cost of a sail repair
you've done all that in 6 months? most of us have been complaining because there hasnt been any wind for 6 months

Keef.....Don't mention sails, I'm pushing my luck there!!! So far, not a tear, apart from old age wear on some seams, although I have a couple of beaut dents in the mono on my 6.5. Had a habit of catapulting 12 months ago....surprised my harness hook hadn't gone through!

I'm getting a mast & boom replaced on warranty (brand new), and I'm hoping I've just had a bad run...

Anyway, my expanding polyurethane foam should be here.....off to do some board repairs!

Select to expand quote

Sailhack said...


Anyway, my expanding polyurethane foam should be here.....off to do some board repairs!

Have fun, resist the temptation to mix a litre of each part to see how much of the shed you can fill

Select to expand quote

Wet Willy said...

Richiefish said...

had a big stack last week in which i broke my uni joint and boom clamp. I have now noticed a slight "kink" in this mast where the sleeve is at the joint. Has anybody had this happen and is it likely to end up snapping thus leaving me in the sh1t ???

My friend, you are screwed.

Ask yourself this: Do you want to (a) enjoy the pleasures of breaking a mast while out sailing, (b) experience the thrill of having it break on the beach while rigging, on the best day of the year, or (c) man up and buy a new one - you can always keep the kinked one as a last-resort backup.

Life is all about choices.

mmmm, sounds like you've had a bad experience with something "kinky" in the past ?

i had my sails rigged 24/7 full downhaul for the last 5 months and they all have a kink halfway up the mast, and everybody else here has the same thing, 100% skinnys.. derigged them to go to the other side of the island had some pretty heavy wipeouts, no problems..

Are you sure it's not something you have just noticed while inspecting the gear after the crash.

Masts do suffer this 'kink' from being rigged or rigged in severe heat. I have a couple of kinked NP, been using them for years. Get someone who knows to have a look, it may be OK.

Select to expand quote

Waiting4wind said...

Are you sure it's not something you have just noticed while inspecting the gear after the crash.

Masts do suffer this 'kink' from being rigged or rigged in severe heat. I have a couple of kinked NP, been using them for years. Get someone who knows to have a look, it may be OK.

I'll do that. I didnt notice the kink at all. Somebody else saw it when I was derigging yesterday.(could have been like that for ages?) its just the inner sleeve in the bottom section is a bit bent/off line.

Select to expand quote

Mark _australia said...

Sailhack said...


Anyway, my expanding polyurethane foam should be here.....off to do some board repairs!

Have fun, resist the temptation to mix a litre of each part to see how much of the shed you can fill

Ha-ha....don't worry, it was discussed between Chef & myself how much fun you could have with someone's car! Just mix it up, pour it in, wind-up the windows & sit back with a stubbie!

when you buy the new one , offer the bent one, cheap, to all the new landyacht builders in Queensland They can then test it out , and if it breaks ,walk home

Select to expand quote

Richiefish said...

had a big stack last week in which i broke my uni joint and boom clamp. I have now noticed a slight "kink" in this mast where the sleeve is at the joint. Has anybody had this happen and is it likely to end up snapping thus leaving me in the sh1t ???

queenslanders put the bends in bananas, and bends in the masts

I have old fiberspar and np masts with the same problem. I wonder if the later "integrated ferrule" designs solved this. My masts have been fine for ages but the bend curve is affected so I'm about to have a go at reglueing the ferrule if I manage to get it out.

Anyone else tried this?

I doubt that you'll get it out without damaging the mast. I think the bend would have minimal effect on your sail, so I wouldn't worry about it.

Otherwise I can sell you a lightly bent sail!

I measured it and the IMCS varied by more than 7 according to the orientation of the mast. I wish I still had the actual figures..

Just changed a cracked ferrule in a North mast with no problems.Just cut the old one in half with a hacksaw then tap it with a block of timber and hammer. Don,t glue them in.Might solve the kink problem