Hi all, I’ve been a sailor for decades, but I just bought a Freedom 25 that’s been stored outside for about 10 years. I don’t have any experience with carbon fiber spars, is there any maintenance I should do before I step the mast and hoist a sail on it? Sand it down and paint it? Use it as is? Or is it ruined after sitting outside so long? Any and all input would be appreciated!
Carbon fibre is very long lasting tough material, that does not fatigue like metal. However it will weaken if exposed to ultraviolet light from the sun. So make sure that your paint systems on it are good, to protect it from the sun.
Excellent! Any paint recommendations?
Is your 25 mast black or is it the white rotating mast? If it’s the black mast, you’ll notice that it has horizontal cracks in the black coating - this is pretty normal for these masts. The ‘mud’ they used was too thick and not flexible enough. As long as there is no visible CF or fiberglass, you’re fine. If you want to refinish that mast you have to very carefully sand off the old finish. I think Eric Sponberg recommended that if you go that route, it wouldn’t hurt to wrap another layer of glass around the spar, but it’s probably not necessary. you’d finish it off with something awlcraft, preferably in a light color, because it’s more flexible than the original coating.
If you have the rotating wing mast, it’s already white, just make sure it hasn’t worn through anywhere, and if it has touch it up with awlcraft or a rattle can to keep the cf out of the UV.