Has My Mast Been Compromised???

[Highlander]

My lawyer once told me the only thing more crooked than a lawyer was a real estate agent , so yer better be watching & covering ur butt big time laddie

J

[Divecoz]

Thank Goodness the Purchase of a Time Share and a Used Car ISN'T in the mix as well....

My lawyer once told me the only thing more crooked than a lawyer was a real estate agent , so yer better be watching & covering ur butt big time laddie

J

[seahouse]

Hey Dive!

Yipes. Sorry about your bad luck.

I think I understand what you are asking about the mast...is there a chance that there could be some hidden latent damage that might surface at a later time? Based on what you have described, with some materials that might be a concern, but with metals like aluminum, the answer is a clear “no”.

But until you know the following about the strength properties of metals, you might not be as comfortable with that simple answer.

The mast is still straight, as you have described. This indicates that any deforming of the mast that took place was within the “elastic limit” of the stress (applied load = the falling tree) vs strain (the amount of resulting deflection). Meaning it has fully rebounded from the load.

Within limits, (unless the load is small, there actually are a finite number of cycles to failure, but it’s in the order of millions of cycles) you could do this repeatedly and incur no damage to the mast, provided you stayed within the elastic limit of the aluminum. Greater applied stress will lead to fewer cycles before failure, but your fatigue cycle with the tree was exactly one.

So how do you tell that you have not exceeded the elastic limit of the mast? Easy- it will have returned to its original (straight) shape. Once you have applied more than this (past the “yield point”) the mast will undergo “plastic deformation” and will bend and not return to its original shape. Fortunately, your mast has not gotten to this stage. I also know that bent masts can be, and have been, straightened and used with no ill effect. Eyeballing along is good, your string check is excellent.

You might still want to take a look at the typical points of failure, such as at any drilled holes along the mast for damage. But severe strain at these points would still have shown up as a bend in the mast. So you can put your mind at ease that the mast is not going to prematurely fail as a result of the tree strike if you end up keeping it.

Good luck with the insurance company!

- Brian.

[seahouse]

Oh oh. I feel a rant coming on…

Yeah- watch out for the insurance company. While you might have a good experience, my (twice) lifetime dealings with insurance companies have both been very negative. I got hosed in the end both times, ie. was not compensated for anywhere near the value of the loss (one a snowmobile, second a motorcycle). And not due to lack of coverage paid for on my part.

In a separate (close family) incident, an investigating officer (fatal auto collision) warned a grieving widow that the insurance company would try to take advantage of her situation. That’s how bad the state of the industry is here in Ontario.

Sure enough, the company, hoping she wouldn't notice, tried to pay her out $8000 less than the amount the auto policy clearly stated was due (the car, a total write-off, was less than 1 year old, so the amount was defined to the cent on the policy).
Family had to fight them for it on her behalf, but got it in the end.

How low is that? My own feeling is that parasitism, while acceptable in the animal world, is not an acceptable practice in the human world.

Anecdotal evidence? Sure this is. But it amounts to 100% of my dealings with adjusters. But I don’t think you’ll have to look very far to find other stories just like it.

Grrrr.

There. I said it. Off my chest! Happy again!

[kmclemore]

Party of the first part, by virtue of statement that the mast is fit for use as intended, accepts liability for all damages forthwith in the event of last failure

Don't forget the sanity clause.

[seahouse]

HO HO HO! good one Kevin!

And I have the feeling that you make a good sanity clause?

[DaveB]

First thing I would do is a dye test, this will show any fractures in the mast. (hair line cracks)You can even do this.
Buy a dark blue food color and put it over the areas you may think is fractured, the fractured will be much darker than other areas.
Dave

THANK YOU Gentlemen!! Today and in fact for much of 3 weeks I have been Up To My Eyeballs with BS from Lawyers as we close and buy properties..
That was ALL finally resolved an hour ago and EVERYTHING .. Is a GO!
I will take the boat to Bills have the adjuster out and not worry about the mast!! What a relief that is! If in fact he says NO To replacing the mast its not a real issue.... This summer has been Unbelievable and No much good has happened .. As You All read , in July There was a HUGE storm outside Chicago and the Micro Burst Literally.... centered itself over my 2 acres and house.. The Tree damage ( uncovered by insurance ) was Extensive!!!.. BUT...Things as of just a few minutes ago came to fruition.. FINALLY!! Now with not having to be concerned about Another THOUSAND DOLLARS flying out of my wallet .. I just may be able to sleep tonight..

[Divecoz]

Thanks DaveB I have the purple Magnaflux dye and when it stops raining I may try that?
Gentlemen I REALLY do appreciate ALL the input and the explanations on how it works and why I should really have, No Concerns..
Again Thanks to One and ALL.....

[mastreb]

If there's no exterior deformation, dent, or wrinkle on a aluminum tube on the outside, there's nothing on the inside either. Any force strong enough to have cracked or stressed the interior would leave visible damage on the exterior as well.

The mast can actually take a pretty hard hit and not bend, and frankly even if it was bent it doesn't need replacing as long as its straight when its up (the shrouds will straighten it right up). My mast has an obvious bend from a mast fall. In that case, one of the spreaders took most of the load and bent. It will only sit on the mast crutch one way because of the bend, but its straight when up (you can't tell and it lasers straight) and it sails just fine.

[Highlander]

Hi Div

Glad u do not know how to post pic's personaly i do not want to see ur mast ! , most people would go & see a Doctor for a medical check up . But it might be cheaper to get a hookers personal advice & u could ask for a quote first !!

PS I am surprized nobody razzed u sooner on this "Tittled Post"

J

[Divecoz]

Your KILLING ME!!! Hahahaha I call mine ? The Harpoon.. His full name is .. Harpoon Harry..Harpoon Harry is Up On-board Cocked and ready to fire.. Some One has Remarked ??? Oh Look, how cute, they make Harpoons in a derringer size tehehehe... NOT FUNNY Honey!

Hi Div

Glad u do not know how to post pic's personally i do not want to see ur mast ! , most people would go & see a Doctor for a medical check up . But it might be cheaper to get a hookers personal advice & u could ask for a quote first !!

PS I am surprized nobody razzed u sooner on this "Tittled Post"

J