Page published: 21 February 2010
The Storm
It was new year. A message appeared on the old mail list (Now replaced by The Forum):
Hi,
Happy New Year etc.Not so happy for me though: a huge poplar fell on my Sea Hawk in the Hogamany storm! So much for taking it out of the water!
Anyhow, main damage is a bent aft rail, and kinked mast. Can the latter be repaired, or is a new one in order? Any suggestions as to source and price?
The Repair
Two responses to the mail suggested an approach to Z Spars UK, the firm that supplied the spars for the most recent Mistral Craft boats.
Another report followed:
Just for info, my kinked mast is gradually straightening thanks to a dozen bricks in carrier bags and a workmate bench holding a wheel barrow hub as a fulcrum.
It'll still need a collar riveted on, of course, but that's cheaper than £1000 for a new one.
The final message said:
For information: The Hogamannay storms felled a tree across Sea Hawk mast, which snapped. A local firm shortened it by 3 inches, inserted a sleeve and welded it together. Cost: £76. (Cost of new one: £980 delivered).
When asked, much later, for more information about the straightening method, it was described further:
The straightening rig merely used Mara as the fulcrum and hold fast. The upper mast hung upwards, the prow as fulcrum, and I tied increasing weights to its end over several weeks until it gradually smoothed out more or less. The welders then removed a couple of inches of wrinkly bits and sleeved (about 300mm) the inside ensuring the sail slide worked as it should. I replaced the ss rigging with nylon. It all worked well.