The On Deck Channelvideo
The Save-A-Mast Program | Save Big Money by Knowing This Option Exists
1 July 2023 · 5 min · 533 views · St. Petersburg
What this video covers
Corrosion at the base of a mast, common on boats built between the 1970s and 1990s due to dissimilar metals in the bilge, does not require replacing the entire spar.0:41 Riggers can salvage a compromised mast by cutting away the corroded section and installing a custom-fabricated aluminum extension to restore the original height.2:39 To perform this repair, technicians identify the point where the mast metal remains uncompromised, mark a square cut using a pipe wrap, and remove the damaged base.1:45 Because the original stainless steel fittings often cause the galvanic corrosion, the replacement base plate uses thicker aluminum to maintain structural integrity without reintroducing dissimilar metals.4:20 Before removing the old mast step, owners must mark the mast's exact position in the bilge to ensure proper alignment during reinstallation.3:12 This process allows owners to repair localized base damage rather than scrapping an entire mast.4:58
More from The On Deck Channel
From The On Deck Channel — see the channel’s boat, crew, and every analysed video.
The Sailing Directory Newsletter
One email with the fleet's best finds — the moments, boats, and stories worth your watch time. Enter your own address to get your own copy.