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Considering buying but worried about mast track reliability

Posted: Mon Jul 24, 2017 4:45 pm
by dohertpk1
Hi all,
After four years of owning a 600, I'm seriously considering 'trading up' for a Musto Skiff. I know there are a large number of sailors in the fleet who have made a similar transition. However, having followed the debate on the proposed new mast and sail, I am somewhat concerned. I have had a lot of problems with the mast track on my 600. Living in Ireland with one of the few 600s in the country, it was incredibly difficult, expensive and time consuming to repair track damage on the boat. How prevalent is mast track failure on the Musto Skiff? Can I expect to have to repair the track every summer? Are there any 'upgrades' or 'updates' I should be looking for when buying a used boat that will reduce the risk of track failure? Finally, the old glass track on my 600 chewed up the bolt rope on my sail such that I had to get it repaired at least 3 times a year. Do Musto sails experience the same damage around the batten pockets? I've sailed the boat a good few times at Minorca Sailing and I've been saving for two years to make the switch. Having been saving for that long, I don't want to buy something which is going to spend a lot of time in the workshop. I'm also absolutely rubbish at boat work so any repair will have to be paid for. I will have a budget of £5000 sterling. Any advice and input you might offer would be very much appreciated.

Best,
Peter

Re: Considering buying but worried about mast track reliability

Posted: Mon Jul 24, 2017 5:40 pm
by PaulM
Hi Peter,

I am sure a few people will respond.

Overall I would say go for it, you have sailed the boat and know it is good fun. The mast track issue, yes there is a lot of debate but the repair is simple. Some people are lucky and others not. I have had a Musto since 2008 and probably done about 3/4 repairs.

The bolt rope switched from rope to plastic about 2009 and works perfectly. I have a 2010 sail which has now seen better days but I still use for club sailing and had no repairs to the luff, or anywhere else.

I think everyone agrees the boat is well built and your only trip to the workshop should be due to sailor fault. Search the website for the various updates but they are minor and should not stop you buying a specific boat, I would focus on the overall condition of the boat, and newness of the sails as you don't want to have to be splashing out a new set of sails on top. There are secondhand sails occasionally but they get sold in hours of being advertised.

Paul

Re: Considering buying but worried about mast track reliability

Posted: Mon Jul 24, 2017 6:10 pm
by paul manning
Hi Peter

I would echo Paul's earlier post.

I think it's worth putting these points into perspective, the boat has very few problems such that it's insurance is typically 20-30% cheaper than other high performance boats. Clearly, some of this can be attributed to boat on boat accidents, but a lot is down to low failure rates.
The luff track breakages are a pain but on the plus side are readily repaired (if indeed you actually break it at all...). If it breaks, it usually is a piece around 100mm long at a batten and Selden kindly supply replacement track and glue FOC.

Other than general wear and tear, the luff track and sail feeder do not damage the sail and if the track does wear at this point, it can be readily replaced. But as I say, this is nothing other than normal wear.

Re: Considering buying but worried about mast track reliability

Posted: Mon Jul 24, 2017 11:05 pm
by dohertpk1
Hi Paul and Paul,
Thanks so much for your quick and helpful replies. That's a very interesting point about the insurance and the fact that the track can be repaired so readily is a comfort. I had to replace the entire length of track on my 600 last year and the whole process kept the boat off the water for the best part of six months. Thanks again and, with any luck, I'll see you at the 2018 UK nationals.

Best,
Peter

Re: Considering buying but worried about mast track reliability

Posted: Tue Jul 25, 2017 7:32 am
by paul manning
Hi Peter

No problem, always happy to help if possible.

Re: Considering buying but worried about mast track reliability

Posted: Tue Jul 25, 2017 11:42 am
by bristollad
peter do not worry

i have had 2 musto now over 4 years an old one and a newer one i have had no issues with the track at all
buying the musto will be the best thing you do :D

Re: Considering buying but worried about mast track reliability

Posted: Sun Aug 13, 2017 8:34 am
by campervan
Peter,

over the last six years we have built a fleet of six mustos in the club, up here in the north of Scotland, so we have been relatively isolated too. WE have managed to get round all the obstacles, and with the help of the class assoc, managed to access really good coaching.
I have never had any mast track repairs on my boats (181 and 536), but have done some in the fleet. Its an easy enough job, with lots of advice to hand on the forum too. I have come to enjoy the vapour of plexus more than I should really admit.

I think that the emphasis on the mast track issue on the website is more of a testament to the continuous product feedback within the class and the excellent relationship with the boat builder overall.

Kevin

Re: Considering buying but worried about mast track reliability

Posted: Sat Aug 26, 2017 7:28 pm
by dohertpk1
Thanks all. I'm decided. I'll be making the trip over to the UK sometime before or Christmas or early in the new year. I just have to wait for the bank loan to come through!