Posted by Bob (rweeks6508@…>)
Mine also has two step pop riveted in the mast one on each side stagger so you
can reach the top of the main when lower (at least for us short guys).
Bob
F30 Freebird
=====================
From: Al Lorman <ajl@…>
Date: 2007/11/05 Mon AM 10:42:39 CST
To: freedomyachts2003@yahoogroups.com
Subject: RE: [freedomyachts2003] Re: mast cracking on f 35 ck
Iput a few such steps in and used pop rivets. I figured if it was good
enoughfor the mast track, it was good enough for a step.
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AlLorman
F30Ab Initio
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From:freedomyachts2003@yahoogroups.com
[mailto:freedomyachts2003@yahoogroups.com] OnBehalf Of Louis Spitz
Sent: Monday, November 05, 2007 8:59 AM
To: freedomyachts2003@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [freedomyachts2003] Re: mast cracking on f 35 ck
ÂÂ
Ihave a '94 Freedom 35 sloop,and I am afraid of drilling holes into the
carbonfiber. I would like to put some mast steps
atthe base of the mast to be able to reach the halyard. How big a hoe issafe
to drill/tap?
Thanks,
Lou Spitz
F35#23 ‘Ripple Effect’
ÂÂ
-----Original Message -----
From: michel.capel
To: freedomyachts2003@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Monday, November 05,2007 6:36 AM
Subject: [freedomyachts2003]Re: mast cracking on f 35 ck
ÂÂ
Jay,
I drilled lots of holes in both my masts (1981 mizzen and 2000 main)
and I did not notice much difference in the layup, except in the
outside. The black stuff is brittle and hard to drill, the drills
get dull very quickly. You can tap thread in it very well, so I’m
not convinced of Tom Wylie’s comments on the older Freedom CF masts.
I think most of it is carbon fibre.
The filler was from Awlgrip, a two component soft filler, as far as
I know. The outer paint layers are also Awlgrip, which is very tough
and flexible, I noticed. I’ve only sailed since August with the
treated masts, so I don’t know how it will hold over time.
michel
— In freedomyachts2003@yahoogroups.com,“Jay Glen” <svfantasy@…>
wrote:
Michel,
Yes, the “mud” coat is the outer coating, sort of like a gelcoat.
It cracks
because when the mast flexes this outer coating does not have the
same
flexibility as the mast itself. This black outer coating is not
Carbon.
According to Tom Wylie of Wylie Yachts, these older Freedom carbon
fiber
masts have very little carbon in them. Most of the lay-up is glass
and
polyester resin.By the way, what flexible filler did you use to fill these cracks
and how
was it applied? Has it held up well?On 10/17/07, michel.capel <michel.capel@…> wrote:
Jay,
I don’t know what you mean with ‘mud coat’; is that the black
outer
layer? I thought that’s carbon. My masts were lightly sanded,
then
the cracks were filled with a flexible epoxy filler, sanded
smooth
and sprayed with Awlgrip.I noticed that my 1981 original TPI mizzen had this brittle black
carbon outer layer, while my 2000 GMT main mast has a thin layer
of
glas and resin over the brittle black carbon, I think to provide
a
flexible outer shell that does not crack.Michel
— In freedomyachts2003@yahoogroups.com<freedomyachts2003%
40yahoogroups.com>,
“Jay Glen” <svfantasy@>wrote:
I have this cracking on my 1981 Freedom 40 CK. If the cracking
is
only
cosmetic (just in the “mud coat”) all theprofessionals I
spoke to
advised
to just leave it alone. The expense to have them professionally
reconditioned is fairly costly, however, some have said an
owner
who is
handy and somewhat knowledgeable could sand off the old"mud
coat"
and apply
a new coating and paint. Some even suggest adding another wrap
of
polyester
glass and resin after removing the old coating. If you decide
to
add more
glass and resin you better make certain you support the mast
in a
manner
that prevents sagging, or you risk “locking-in” anycurvature
when
the new
glass and resin hardens. No doubt, this is a big job, and
unless
you have
experience I’d leave it for the pros. My problem is I cannot
find
anyone
with the required experience in the SF Bay Area. I thought I
might
just sand
through the cracks with the mast left stepped, add a couple of
coats of
resin and then paint. But I don’t know if this would even
work, it
may just
crack right away under sail. So, right now, I’m doing as Tom
Wylie
of Wylie
Yachts, Watsonville, Ca. suggested and just leave it alone.On 10/16/07, phildowneyuk <phildowneyuk@> wrote:
has anyone any thoughts on the seriousness and treatmemt of
cracking
around early carbon masts?–
Jay Glen ki6jtk
s/v Fantasy
Freedom 40 Cat-Ketch
San Francisco Bay Area–
Jay Glen ki6jtk
s/v Fantasy
Freedom 40 Cat-Ketch
San Francisco Bay Area
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