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!
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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.
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I have an F25 as well, minimally modified. Feel free to ask me questions about the rigging and such. Took me a while to figure it all out!
My mast also has horizontal cracks. I feel quite confident that it is stable.
Thanks for the feedback! The boat is a round mast and does have horizontal cracking I’ve seen mentioned here. Fortunately no exposed fiberglass or carbon fiber. It sounds like I’d be pretty safe stepping the mast and going for a sail. Thanks again!
I’ve been wanting to do that with my masts. Do you have links
Sorry for delay ed reply. We use Toplac… Easy to apply, tough and flexible for masts (and topsides!)