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Having the seemingly clichéd mast track problem with a twist. The plastic collar between the top and middle section has split and come unglazed, allowing some translation of one section into the other causing the track to break. We have already tried to glue the collar and some new track back on....but it went ping again on the first sail back, much to my frustration.


I have emailed, Ovington and not got a response, have emailed selden twice and am as yet still awaiting a response. Has anyone seen this or had this happen?

I haven't, but it's also quire a new mast isn't it George?

I think so. Will try and post a picture

I had this happen in December. The plastic fairing is for aesthetics only - it does not stop the mast join failing. For me it was be the bond between the join sleeve and the mid section which has failed (It can't be the top section as it is also riveted). The track was bowed outwards and the mast shorter by about 5mm. I wasn't able to split the two sections with the boatbreaker myself.

Solent Boatworks did the repair. They used a chainblock to split the sections, tying through the hounds at the top and a hitch around the section and track lower down. Then they bonded it back together (With Spabond I think). Apparently there was very little adhesive in there from before and the surface had not been well prepared- but the join had survived over 10 years in any case.

I have only sailed once since the repair, in moderate conditions, so I can't attest to the permanence of the repair. But I know that a decent glue joint in there will have more than enough strength for the rig loads.

I think Jono Shelley has had a similar problem with a new top section collapsing into itself. He returned it to Ovis for a fix.

This is a picture of where its failed. Do you think its a case of having it reglued back on? Or does the top section need looking at.

The top section is supposedly 18 months old....

It's hard to tell from that picture, but the top section is probably fine.

My top section has been replaced (at least) twice, but the mid section is original. When they changed the top section the sleeve was left in place in the mid section and the broken top was ground off it. This means the join of the internal sleeve to the mid section was also original and this is what had failed this time.

You will know if your top section join has failed because the stay fittings will have torn through the laminate! I don't think this is likely as your forestay fitting looks fine.

If you can separate the mast sections by applying tension then the repair is not difficult or expensive. I was not confident applying enough force to separate mine. If done properly the adhesive join should be far stronger than the mast laminate in compression.

The mid section and top section where basically new when you had the boat

Just glue it back on

New owner of boat in question #064. Same failure occurred today, same remedy or time to try something new?

Hi Peter

Can you confirm exactly what has happened?

It would help to be able to provide an accurate answer.

Thanks

Hi Paul,

Shortly after launching looked up and saw the mast track had bent away from the mast just below the t-terminals for the standing rigging. Thought it had simply peeled off. Came in, dropped mast and noticed that the length of mast track is considerably longer than the length of mast it's meant to fit, seems the top section has been forced into the middle section a bit. The collar also seems to have been forced out of the way. Tried to separate them (old fashioned tug of war method) no movement. Previous owner's repair doesn't seem to have survived long, should I try the same again?

Tried to attach a picture but it says the file size is too big?

Cheers
Peter

Hi Peter

Thanks.

It sounds to me like the original attempt to glue the two sections has failed (as you have suggested).

The two parts should come apart, but it may require some effort. Do not use the mast crane to tie a rope to, but instead pass a line through either the trapeze or shroud terminals in the mast. If you then make a loop and pass it aound the lower section a couple of times it should grip the tube and allow you to pull on both sections using the boat breaker at one end or similar and tying off the other end.

As you have suggested, the two parts need to be re-glued as per the notes and instructions here http://www.mustoskiff.com/sub-pages/mas ... -2016.html

It is important that the old glue is removed and the surfaces are clean and free of grease (ideally using acetone). Use SP106 epoxy.

It may be you need a new moulded collar if the existing one has broken.

As an alternative, you could take it to a company that works with epoxy.