Re: Mast cracks & collar issues/step issues & surfing

Posted by akusinitz (akusinitz@…>)

I have a 1982 F-33 not the 32 so things may be different. I have
slight cracking at the joints of the fiberglass that wraps around
the exterior of the mast (the construction appears to be glass wrap
then carbon longitudinally (this is the thickest layer by far) then
external glass wrap. The cracking is clearly from flexing (the part
of the mast below deck does not have cracks as it does not bend) is
worse on the main as would be expected but is slight(can’t fit a
fingernail in them). I have examined the interior of the masts and
don’t see cracking there. I have surfed downwind at 10 knots in 35
knots of wind with the full main up and the mast is still there.

I have had problem with mast rotation in that the way its secured at
the base is inadequate and sometimes riggers don’t chock it properly
at the base with anything. I’ve also had some abrasion at the mast
collar of the main mast. The Freedom bushing is in place but either
the rotation or flexing caused the mast to rub against the deck
collar which only has an 1/8" gap or so to the mast and when I got
the boat there was nothing between the collar and the mast (just
between the cabin top and the mast which is where the big bushing
goes. Does anyone have any information or suggestions on what if
anything should be there?

Thanks
Alan
— In freedomyachts2003@yahoogroups.com, “Merrick White”
<r__merrick_white@h…> wrote:

If you click on “files” on the left side of the screen and
download
the “freedom manual.pdf” you will have the F32 manual. The only
thing wrong I have found so far is that it calls for a backstay
when
flying the spinnaker, which is not needed.

Thanks for easing my mind about the mast cracks.

— In freedomyachts2003@yahoogroups.com, “wbisanz” <wbisanz@y…>
wrote:

My '84 F-32 has the same thing. I purchased the boat 2 years ago
and was concerned
about it. I haven’t had any problems or signs of the situation
getting worse over the past 2
seasons.

I did look in the archives and found a poor guy who’s mast broke
on him but I believe he
had a 36’ ketch.

I don’t have an owner’s manual for my boat. Do you know where I
could find one? I’m
trying to get dimensions for my sail since I’m looking to
purchase
new sails.

THanks.

Bill Bisanz
wbisanz@y…

— In freedomyachts2003@yahoogroups.com, “Merrick White”
<r__merrick_white@h…>
wrote:

I have noticed slight, hairline cracks running around the CF
mast on
our 1984 F32. I don’t think they are new. One has a tiny chip
loose
but other than that they are just barely visible.

Is this a structural problem or cosmetic? Should the mast be
painted, polished, or treated on any regular maintenance basis?