Finn Needlespar Mast repairable????

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jpa_wfsc
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Finn Needlespar Mast repairable????

Post by jpa_wfsc »

It was blowy last night and a lot of fun...
But when I was packing my Finn away I spotted a crack on the front of the mast. There used to be a fitting there (associated with the kicker, but now redundant) so there is a drilled hole, and the crack is about 2" long centred on the hole. Wish I'd taken a photo but I was to sad to bother.

I know the mast has an inner tube there - so is not in imminent danger of falling down - unless that is cracking also - but it clearly is going to need to be fixed or replaced.

Has anyone experience of repairing such a failure? Or of an aluminium welder who could / would do it (Gloucestershire), or of a needlespar mast that might be available? I definitely do not want to go to the expense nor the lack of originality involved in switching to Carbon...
j./

National 12 "Spider" 2523
Finn K468 'Captain Scarlet'

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!!!! Not CVRDA !!!!
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PeterV
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Re: Finn Needlespar Mast repairable????

Post by PeterV »

Sorry to hear about your mast, I was out having fun off Warsash last night, it was blowy! I think a welder would be your best bet but if you're really stuck the remains of Needlespar still exist, I think they're trading under Hawk (the wind indicator company) and although most of their work is making Finn and OK booms they may be able to assist.
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Re: Finn Needlespar Mast repairable????

Post by JimC »

Masts are heat treated, I'm not at all sure about welding... horizontal or vertical crack? what's the section like, could it be sleeved externally?
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jpa_wfsc
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Re: Finn Needlespar Mast repairable????

Post by jpa_wfsc »

JimC wrote:... horizontal or vertical crack? what's the section like, could it be sleeved externally?
hi Jim... its a horizontal crack. External sleeve probably ineffective as its not far above the deck ring, so little metal to weld to below the crack.. It might be an approach though. The Section is standard Finn mast - basically, Oval.
j./

National 12 "Spider" 2523
Finn K468 'Captain Scarlet'

British Moth, 630, early 60's 'Pisces'

!!!! Not CVRDA !!!!
Comet Trio - something always ready to sail.
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jpa_wfsc
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Re: Finn Needlespar Mast repairable????

Post by jpa_wfsc »

PeterV wrote: I think a welder would be your best bet but if you're really stuck the remains of Needlespar still exist, I think they're trading under Hawk (the wind indicator company) and although most of their work is making Finn and OK booms they may be able to assist.
They seem to still be making spars for many dinghies - but not Finn (at least its not on their website). And a new mast would almost certainly be an order of magnitude or two more expensive than the boat is worth :-( although its value to me is much higher! Typical cvrda boat the value has no relationship to the cost at all.
j./

National 12 "Spider" 2523
Finn K468 'Captain Scarlet'

British Moth, 630, early 60's 'Pisces'

!!!! Not CVRDA !!!!
Comet Trio - something always ready to sail.
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Re: Finn Needlespar Mast repairable????

Post by jpa_wfsc »

The Finn Class came to the rescue - Martin had a spare needlespar in his boat shed. (Also a lovely Finn in restoration).
j./

National 12 "Spider" 2523
Finn K468 'Captain Scarlet'

British Moth, 630, early 60's 'Pisces'

!!!! Not CVRDA !!!!
Comet Trio - something always ready to sail.
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Re: Finn Needlespar Mast repairable????

Post by jpa_wfsc »

I'm going to need a hacksaw and a steady hand. Clearly not all Finns have the same dimension from mast step to deck ring - with the mast heel on the floor, the ring is only just (2mm) engaged with the deck ring....

I have looked at moving the ring down the mast, but it looks like a terrible job and will leave more holes in the mast at a high stress area than I can bear to have. Have looked at my old broken mast and it has small cracks from the old holes where that one got modified. I think the earlier repairs to the floor have resulted in a slightly raised floor level. :-(

So - I shall have to reduce the mast length by cutting of 10mm or so from the bottom end where the mast is what - 3.5" dia? I know that saw is going to be a pig to keep on the straight and narrow - has anyone a successful method to suggest that can be done in a dinghy park with no machine tools to hand?
j./

National 12 "Spider" 2523
Finn K468 'Captain Scarlet'

British Moth, 630, early 60's 'Pisces'

!!!! Not CVRDA !!!!
Comet Trio - something always ready to sail.
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Re: Finn Needlespar Mast repairable????

Post by JimC »

Not precisely sure what a mast ring is, but can't you fabricate another to butt against existing? Better than chopping mast.
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Ed
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Re: Finn Needlespar Mast repairable????

Post by Ed »

Sounds like you have got things sussed...

but I would certainly try to find a good specialised aluminium welder. Welding has really changed recently and with new TIG kit and specific filler-rods, it is possible to reliably weld stuff that would of been totally impossible in the past.

later

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jpa_wfsc
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Re: Finn Needlespar Mast repairable????

Post by jpa_wfsc »

Thank you Ed - I will try that (so that my cracked mast can become a useable spare at least).

Happy morning at the club today getting the mast set up. I did decide to cut the 10mm off the foot rather than move the ring, as it looked to me to be very messy - breaking out two large old self tappers would probably have broken them, then drilling new holes just where I wish there were none!

Following Finn advice have replaced the wire strop for the kicker with one made up from some spare spectra. So I should be back sailing Wednesday evening again, all being well, and F4-F5 forecast!!! :-)
j./

National 12 "Spider" 2523
Finn K468 'Captain Scarlet'

British Moth, 630, early 60's 'Pisces'

!!!! Not CVRDA !!!!
Comet Trio - something always ready to sail.
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