Crack in mast raising pole

[Tomfoolery]

Yes, it doesn't pass through the holes, and no It's not even oval. I think someone has installed it incorrectly and pulled something the wrong way - that's why there's an indent on the mast (it should not be pressing on the mast at any time). I'm thinking maybe I actually can drill the hole at 90 degrees and just put a bolt through to pull the crack together and prevent separation, without moving anything else or the brackets (as the other end has the holes and the slit for the plate holding steel wire for hte mast and the blocks for the mast rising line, and it all would have to be redone otherwise)

If you're going to do that, at least put a slug of wood inside to help it keep its shape. That pole should be under compression only, no bending side-to-side, but those cracks look like it was subjected to loading it wasn't intended to take.

Do the baby stays go to the mast? What is this 'plate holding steel wire for the mast' you speak of?

[Jimmyt]

I'm thinking Seahouse hit it. Looks like Conan overtightened the bracket bolts and cracked the tube. Because the tube is not elliptical, it may have been tweaked back to round after the original cracking - to conceal the damage. Since it is aluminum, and you apparently don't have Sumner's resources, I would encourage you to cut the tube end off and remount the bracket. Tomfoolery can probably tell you the load at every degree of angle during the lift. If he says the loading won't change significantly by shortening the pole a few inches, I'd take it as gospel. While that member in its original condition is well overdesigned for the theoretical duty, you don't know what has happened around the connection point. It might be fine to put a bolt through and pull the crack closed (thereby further deforming a part that has been overstressed). If it was mine, and my family and/or friends would be around during mast raising, I'd cut it off and redrill the mounting holes. Due to slop in the stays, crosswinds, etc, you may get a bending moment at that connection at some time. This could put some unique loading on the connection that would be hard to quantify. If I had to go buy a hacksaw, power drill, and one drill bit, I'd still shorten it if it was mine.

Sorry for the sermon. Reader's Digest Version; Better Safe than Sorry.

Good Luck,
Jim

[romandesign]

Yes, it doesn't pass through the holes, and no It's not even oval. I think someone has installed it incorrectly and pulled something the wrong way - that's why there's an indent on the mast (it should not be pressing on the mast at any time). I'm thinking maybe I actually can drill the hole at 90 degrees and just put a bolt through to pull the crack together and prevent separation, without moving anything else or the brackets (as the other end has the holes and the slit for the plate holding steel wire for hte mast and the blocks for the mast rising line, and it all would have to be redone otherwise)

If you're going to do that, at least put a slug of wood inside to help it keep its shape. That pole should be under compression only, no bending side-to-side, but those cracks look like it was subjected to loading it wasn't intended to take.

Do the baby stays go to the mast? What is this 'plate holding steel wire for the mast' you speak of?

Yes, baby stays are in place. The plate is visible here:

[Tomfoolery]

What's that bit of wire rope under the fiddle block? Is that a baby stay? If it is, and there are none on the mast itself, then that would explain the cracks in the bottom of the gin pole, from the mast inducing twist from side loading that relatively long plate.

Or I could not be understanding what I'm seeing.

[Highlander]

The baby stay,s on the MRS r crap they do not even go into effect until the mast is more than 2/3rds raised which means on a windy day the mrs pole can lean as much as 30 degrees or more including ur mast ? which in turn bends the S/S base brkts like butter they may b ok for a hank -on jib at the very least on a non windy day . Just look at all the Mac vids all the mast raising is done in none Zero wind situations " REALLY" give me a break when doe,s reality kick - in ? I,ve added extra baby stay,s to the crappy MRS pole it,self to help keep it from flopping around like a drunken sailor LOL

J