Carbon fiber mast add-ons

Posted by JoanJohn@… (JoanJohn@…)

Re: not drilling holes in the carbon fiber.

What kind of problems can arise if a few small holes are drilled, tapped for SS
bolts and sealed with a corrosion inhibiting non-electrolyte sealer (red
Loctite)?

Obviously, I have done it (for a tri-lobe radar reflector, above the jib
haulyard sheeve), but would appreciate frank - but truly knowledgeable -
comments.

How big a problem can we be dealing with when the track on my mast is bolted on,
as are tangs for the lazyjacks, and of course the boom gooseneck fitting is
strapped and bolted on, albeit where the mast has been reinforced for the load.

I just today found info on the jboats site [jboats.com/pdf/hallcarbon.pdf] about
Hall carbon fiber masts and will be calling them next week (not open today, Sat)
with questions about installing hardware directly into the carbon fiber.
In the Hall link, they do say to tap any holes and apply red Loctite, as my my
yard had advised me to do. They also recommend calling them for approval of any
modifications or addition of hardware and to “Call before your drill!”

Keeping my fingers crossed- but not that worried.

John Ernst
1992 F45

Posted by ajlorman (ajlorman@…>)

John:

Did you ever get in touch with Hall about attachments to carbon fiber
spars? If so, did you learn anything worth sharing?

Al Lorman

— In freedomyachts2003@yahoogroups.com, JoanJohn@a… wrote:

Re: not drilling holes in the carbon fiber.

What kind of problems can arise if a few small holes are drilled,
tapped for SS bolts and sealed with a corrosion inhibiting non-
electrolyte sealer (red Loctite)?

Obviously, I have done it (for a tri-lobe radar reflector, above
the jib haulyard sheeve), but would appreciate frank - but truly
knowledgeable - comments.

How big a problem can we be dealing with when the track on my mast
is bolted on, as are tangs for the lazyjacks, and of course the boom
gooseneck fitting is strapped and bolted on, albeit where the mast
has been reinforced for the load.

I just today found info on the jboats site
[jboats.com/pdf/hallcarbon.pdf] about Hall carbon fiber masts and
will be calling them next week (not open today, Sat) with questions
about installing hardware directly into the carbon fiber.
In the Hall link, they do say to tap any holes and apply red
Loctite, as my my yard had advised me to do. They also recommend
calling them for approval of any modifications or addition of
hardware and to “Call before your drill!”

Keeping my fingers crossed- but not that worried.

John Ernst
1992 F45