hi,
what is the best way to pull apart a two piece mast i think either salt dryed inside the mast as i foregot to wash it from its last use or sand is stuck inside, any ideas would be very appreaciated

Lots of ways but the best is shear grunt. Get as many freinds as you can, 3 to 4 each end and twist/rotate the mast.
The more sets of hands the better.

Boom securely attached to both peices and twist/turn booms. Need two booms obviously though so may not be an option.
Couple of mates on either side and twist. Try to gently flex the joint area at the same time (get someone to gently push up and down or similar).

Gaffer tape the on the join before you put it in the sail!

-this is valuable for two reasons - it tends to keep the sand out which can cause this problem, and secondly, it makes sure that the mast halves don't come apart slightly when rigging - a sure recipe to snap the mast at the ferrule when loaded up.

The best one person technique I know of is this -

Place one side on the grass. The other on something about car bumper high.

With your hand on either side of the join, push down on the mast to flex it. Turn the mast a bit, and repeat.

You'll notice the gap widening millimetre by millimetre. After 20-50 flexes, it'll eventually separate enough for you to pull the halves apart.

Tried the two boom method but could not get the second boom to grip the top section of the mast so still stuck with two masts in full length:(

my bro is a mast pull apart expert.. he can pull it apart in 5 seconds

Take it down to the beach when it's windy.

The sight of a couple of grown men playing tug'o'war with a mast is irresistable to most windsurfers

Remember to twist more than pull if you've got volunteers that haven't done it before. And make sure that all the people on one end are twisting in the same direction

MY BROTHER USES THE TWO BOOMS ON THE END OF THE MAST MEATHOD.. WORKS WELL WITH HEAPS OF RUBBER STUFFT BETWEEN THE BOOM CLAMPS.. WORKS A TREAT EVERY TIME

JUST A TIP NEVER GET YOUR GIRL FRIEND OR BIG MUMA TO GRAB THE OTHER END OF THE MAST AND TRY TO TWIST DOES NOT WORK

check to see if its a two piece mast

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Kooga said...

Tried the two boom method but could not get the second boom to grip the top section of the mast so still stuck with two masts in full length:(

Hi Kooga, The 2 boom method is definately the way to go. All clamp on booms have the ability to adjust the tension on the inhaul. Just tighten the inhaul rope a little and clamp onto top half. If you can make it to Sandringham tomorrow night (Wednesday),with the mast just drop me a Personal Message and I will work my magic. I have a meeting there so I can guarantee plenty of hands on deck.
Cheers, Moondo

Not so good at fixing your problem, but my trick in making sure they don't stick together in the first place... Spit.

Before putting the pieces together hock up a nice loogie and spit it onto the end of the lower half. It's quick, cheap and easy.

Since applying this technique I haven't had my mast get stuck once.
You also feel like a big man while setting up; aggressively spitting on things as you go about your business.

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Patchk said...

You also feel like a big man while setting up; aggressively spitting on things as you go about your business.

Is that like a dog marking its territory

I haven't used this method yet but someone recommended silicone spray inside the top end after each sail as a preventative measure.

Also WD40 disolves most stuff and maybe if you got some of it around the joing it might penetrate in and loosen things up?

Then try the double boom method.

Thanks guys,
Could not get the double boom method to work no matter how tight i i attached them but managed to pull them apart by attaching webbing to one end attached to a post and jerking the other, probs not best for the mast but that was the only way i could get to work

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Patchk said...

Not so good at fixing your problem, but my trick in making sure they don't stick together in the first place... Spit.

Before putting the pieces together hock up a nice loogie and spit it onto the end of the lower half. It's quick, cheap and easy.
Since applying this technique I haven't had my mast get stuck once.
You also feel like a big man while setting up; aggressively spitting on things as you go about your business.

Cheap and easy, helps with insertion...