Mast Hairline Crack

philipl · **Joined:** Mon Jul 27, 2009 2:12 pm **Posts:** 29

I have noticed an ominous horizontal hairline in my mast at boom height going 75 % of the circumference. Is this a serious problem???

Photos attached.

numbknots · **Posted:** Tue Dec 01, 2009 7:15 pm

Philip,

Looks like you repainted the mast in the past or somebody else did. I dont see anyway to check out the problem other than striping the surface and see how far it goes into the mast. Could be the filler just cracked because it was to thick. Good luck. Regards Numbknots

philipl · **Joined:** Mon Jul 27, 2009 2:12 pm **Posts:** 29

Just purchased the boat so I don't know the history. This probably got past the surveyor, I certainly didn't notice it at the time. Any idea on the how these masts are constructed...would one expect a horizontal hairline crack like this?

CrazyRU · **Joined:** Fri Feb 06, 2009 3:58 pm **Posts:** 44

philipl wrote:

Just purchased the boat so I don't know the history. This probably got past the surveyor, I certainly didn't notice it at the time. Any idea on the how these masts are constructed...would one expect a horizontal hairline crack like this?

Yes, hairline cracks are normal for freedom masts. It has been discussed at great length at freedom yahoo group.

Michel · **Posted:** Wed Dec 02, 2009 3:34 am

Philip,

Your hairline crack looks different from the normal Freedom cracks which are usually all over the place. If you have no other horizontal hairline cracks that means your mast is repainted with a good product providing the necessary elasticity to keep the cracks under the surface.
Your crack seems related to the slab of carbon fiber put around the mast to reinforce the gooseneck area. I would watch it carefully and perhaps open up a small portion of the crack to see where it goes. The gooseneck attachment slab is known to detach from the mast occasionally. Fortunately, carbon fiber is easily repaired.

Good luck

Knevins · **Joined:** Sat Jan 10, 2009 12:38 pm **Posts:** 11

I hope it is not serious... When we bought our 1987 F 36/38 in 1992 the surveyor told me that was a crack in the fairing at the gooseneck fitting. Said it was of no consequence. My mast, now 22 years old, has not yet broken. Let us know if you investigate further...

Happy sailing
Kerry Nevins
Gloucester Point, VA

philipl · **Joined:** Mon Jul 27, 2009 2:12 pm **Posts:** 29

Phew...doesn't sound too bad. I will try to find that yahoo forum discussion. Thank you for the comments.

R. Bush · **Posted:** Thu Dec 03, 2009 10:53 pm

I'm looking at purchasing a F25. The mast seems to be nothing but cracks!

The seller says this is perfectly natural for Freedom masts. I wonder what the surveyor will say?

Hopefully this is just all surface weathering, and the mast itself is still good. Hate to think of the cost of replacing one if it ever decided to give up the ghost. Is there any way to tell of a carbon fiber mast is in poor shape other than having it x-rayed?

hxschiller · **Posted:** Sat Dec 05, 2009 5:33 pm

Are the cracks to a round mast, or a wing mast? My '82 wing mast had no cracks, except at the filler that faired in the thickened band where the gooseneck attached.

R. Bush · **Posted:** Sat Dec 05, 2009 5:38 pm

This is a 1984 round mast boat.

FreedomYachts.org

Mast Hairline Crack

Who is online