Posted by Manrique Feoli (manrique.feoli@…>)
Hello Frank,
Thanks a lot for sharing your experience, it seems as the Freedom 33 has a construction bug we all should be aware of. It is only a matter of time before we all start loosing our masts if no action is taken, dont you think.
just a couple of questions to see if I understood, and to consider my course of action
are the 5/8 bolts are at deck level or at the very foot of the mast?
did you have to pull up the mast to see the problem on your mizzen, or just take the collar out?
do you have any kind of photos ?
thanks
Manrique
-----Original Message-----From: Frank Minelli [mailto:myslo@…]Sent: jueves, 08 de julio de 2004 11:07To: freedomyachts2003@yahoogroups.comSubject: RE: [freedomyachts2003] Need a free standing mast for F25
Hello, Manrique,
the loss of the mainmast, it occurred a week or so after a severe beating the boat took when I ran ashore in Melbourne Beach, pounding in the surf for over three hours, the hull sometimes flipping on beam ends. Afer we got her off, and hauled her out, no damage was visible, and we continued the voyage. A few days later, the mast went overboard, in light air.
It had broken at deck level, and when I pulled the stump, it became clear why it happened: There are two 5/8 set bolts at the foot of the mast, threaded through two bolt holes in the collar. The carbon fiber is then drilled out, so that the bolts go through the stick, keeping the mast from rotating. There is no backing no protection at all for the layup. During the wild motion of that grounding, the bolts progressively chewed up more and more of the heel., and when enough of it was gone, the mast simply broke. Admittedly, that is speculation. Alas, how else would one explain the complete destruction of the heel?
Also, there had been one small area of light abrasion (less than one eight inch) right above the deck collar . I had paid little attention to that, believing the layup (at that location) to be substantially thicker than it was. It turned out to be anywhere from .12 to .26 of an inch, depending on (horizontal) location. I dont know if that was a factor,
but I mention it, cause with such skinny layup, with such a finicky material as carbon fiber, it would have been only a matter of time, and the stick would have gone over anyway.
Next chance I had, I pulled the mizzen and found similar, if less severe damage on its heel. I cured that by inserting two solid , one inch thick aluminum discs, machined precicely to the ID of the mast. The discs had tapped bolt holes for the set bolts. After stepping the mast, I poured the space between collar and stick full of epoxy
Despite these problems, I would never want a stayed rig again, ever.
Hi Frank,
I’m also curious of how did you loose your main mast on a F33, can you share it with us, (Since I also have a F33 )
thanks
Manrique
-----Original Message-----From: Frank Minelli [mailto:myslo@…]Sent: jueves, 08 de julio de 2004 8:11To: freedomyachts2003@yahoogroups.comSubject: Re: [freedomyachts2003] Need a free standing mast for F25
I lost the main on my 33 back in 96 or 7, and replaced it with an aluminum pole made by an outfit in New Jersey. The cost of the stick was about 15% of a carbon stick. I sailed the boat since then all over the caribbean, full time with no problem. I have the address somewhere and will post it. Its going to take a day or two, before I have the time to dig through that stuff.pierreclaudelandry <pierreclaudelandry@…> wrote: The carbon free standing mast on my 1982 Freedom 25 unfortunately broke this weekend, and I am seeking a replacement.I would for sure like to find a used replacement, but could also consider a new mast since the boat is in fantastic condition.I know of “Composite Engineering” as a potential provider of carbon masts, and have contacted them. Do you know of other providers? Should I consider a carbon or aluminium mast?Any help would be greatly appreciated.Pierre from Montréal, Canada