Old aluminium mast

[Deleted]

Hi
I bought an old OK in the weekend to fix up for learning to sail / recreational sailing.
I weigh about 75kg and intend to sail on Moreton Bay QLD

The mast track is falling apart, what section should I replace the track with?
The old one has many lateral slots in it where it has now broken away or corroded.
Are these necessary to reduce stiffness?

The slot in the wooden boom has split as well, replace with track or alloy boom?

I am not intending to race or get measured at the moment, just trying to save a boat.

Thanks,
Paul.

[tim]

Hi Paul,

Goldspar have a dinghy sail track which is pretty suitable for the old allow masts (cost about $100 - $150???). Just mention that it's for an OK and they should be able advise on the right item. It is a pretty stiff track as the side walls are thick and straight, so you may find that some hack saw cuts will help to soften it up to match your sail.

You may also need to add a bit of steel tube to the nose of your pop rivot gun (when putting the track on) as the standard fitting generally can't reach the back of the track (cut a bit of small diameter stainless or alloy tube about 10mm long - place it between the rivot and the nose of the rivot gun).

The same track would be suitable for fixing the boom. Capral sell cheap sail track (generally known as annex section) for about $20 for a 6.5m length. This may do the job on the cheap, but would look a bit dodgy.

A better option would be to put an add in the "wanted" section of this forum. Their are plenty of old aluminium boom sections being kept as spares....you could get lucky.

Have fun with the project......hopefully you'll get hooked.

Tim

[Deleted]

Thanks for the info.
I have decided to use a 50mm alloy tube with a home made stainless fitting to the mast, which will get me on the water.

Next job will be to repair the pivot area of the centre board with a new piece of marine ply and fibreglass cloth epoxied in.

What is the best shape and position of the pivot slot?

Does it need some kind of locking pin or latch to keep the whole assy. in place?

Regards,

Paul.

[Deleted]

Hi, I have an old alloy mast I'm quite happy to give away. It's a needlespar red top. If any aussies want it they can pick it up from me (or arrange to have it picked up from me) at the Wellington worlds and taken back in one of your containers