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PeadarMurphy
18 Posts |
 Posted - 18 Sep 2004 : 20:53:40
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I noticed today that the mast support (by which I mean the GRP "bridge" in front of the mast) is cracked where the mast would rub against it when rigged. Is this serious? Is there a "good"/recommended way to beef up this area/prevent further longterm damage? I note that in an earlier thread re rig tuning, that someone commented that these cracks are almost inevitable.
Peadar
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DavidWilson
11 Posts |
Posted - 24 Sep 2004 : 11:57:08
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| I raised this issue with Laser some time ago when my boat (133) displayed hairline cracks in the same place. They argued that it was probably done during mast stepping - I know it wasn't - but how do you argue the point? From your experience and previous postings we are clearly not alone! - I will speak to Laser again. |
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PeadarMurphy
18 Posts |
Posted - 27 Sep 2004 : 17:57:56
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| I have more than hairline cracks! I can imagine it happening when the boat is left on a mooring for a while or if I was doing a lot of running/gybing that would be putting forward pressure on the mast. I'm getting mine beefed up as a precaution - not sure what those studiously following the class rules will say to that!! |
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JimWhite
22 Posts |
Posted - 28 Sep 2004 : 16:15:28
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My Keel has been on a mooring for this and past two Summers. No sign of cracks. I keep the mast off the GRP by tight shrouds, despite a very tight forestay.
Jim |
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PeadarMurphy
18 Posts |
Posted - 29 Sep 2004 : 11:03:26
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| Interesting. I wonder am I putting enough tension on the shrouds? I've seen other comments re rig set up for various wind strengths so obviously some adjustment is acceptable. I usually go to the third position on the chainplates - perhaps I should be going tighter. Jim, have you done much outboard-motoring or trapezing with you boat? As I haven't raced the boat and am a fairly conservative sailor, I was a bit surprised to see the cracks myself. I'm trying to see what might be the problem. |
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JimWhite
22 Posts |
Posted - 30 Sep 2004 : 10:35:53
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I moor on a pontoon 1 mile across harbour from sea (Christchurch Bay, to west of Solent), so 90% of time use outboard to / from harbour entrance.
Sorry, haven't a trapeze
Jim |
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DBurnett
38 Posts |
Posted - 07 Oct 2004 : 09:08:28
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Might be worth having a look at the position of the mast in the step block...
I mention this because even when rigged under tension there is a fingers width gap between the mast and the bridge..
I also rigged two second-hand training Strats at the club.. and found that the mast foot was not set up properly.. you need an Allen key to move the guides.
It should be possible to set the mast up so that there is plenty of clearance and never any contact between the mast and the bridge without having a rake on the rig like a Contender!
Cheers,
Dave |
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MartinPotter
United Kingdom
38 Posts |
Posted - 07 Oct 2004 : 23:31:39
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Any comment from the manufacturer in this one? I find it hard to believe that the design didn't take all this into account.
I too am seeing cracks appearing on my boat. (370)
Martin |
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PeadarMurphy
18 Posts |
Posted - 08 Oct 2004 : 12:01:31
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Dave,
Thanks for your comment and suggestion. I never had a close look at a Stratos rigged up before I purchased my one, so am learning by my mistakes and from the enlightening comments posted by association members. I will look at the mast step adjustment as I was finding that my mast was raked aft quite a bit.
Peadar |
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JimWhite
22 Posts |
Posted - 08 Oct 2004 : 16:12:13
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Great point on the step, I use the middle position with tight shrouds.
Jim |
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PeadarMurphy
18 Posts |
Posted - 21 Jan 2005 : 19:34:32
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| Back to this old chestnut. I had my first sail last Sunday and checked the gap between mast and the bridge - it wasn't there until I really pulled on the jib tension to the limits - but once that was done, it always stayed 7-8mm away from the bridge. We are going to try changing the position of the step at the bottom of the step as the mast is raked aft quite a bit at the moment. |
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Cracking Mast Support
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