Bent sailboat mast

[tomrealest]

if a sailboat is pushed up against a larger sailboat is it possible for the stays to bend the aluminum mast? Can you lay a bent mast on a flat service, put weight on the ends and gradually bend it back straight? What is the proper method to fix the bend?

[tomrealest]

FLAT SURFACE !!!

[jeanathon]

Did it crease? How much of a bend is in it? Pics?
From the little you have said I wonder if you have one stay tighter than the other holding a bend.

[tomrealest]

It definitely is NOT creased.

[Hesti]

Is the mast still standing or already on the hard? On the hard, it would be easy to determine, if the mast itself is bent or if just the stays were stretched a bit and the curve can be trimmed out (if that should be the case, new stays would be recommended). Or if the chainplate was pulled a bit (which would require surgery).


About straightening a truly bent mast - I'd talk to a mastbuilder or better (if possible) the manufacturer. They should know what is possible and what is not possible.

[tomrealest]

Unfortunatly it is a 1976 and the manufacturer is out of business. Mast builders don't want to repair masts. They only want to make new ones, per all those that I have tallked too

[Sailmonkey]

Can the bend be straightened by adjusting the rig tension?

[Orion Jim]

If you would provide a more detailed description of the mast and the boat it is from you may get more helpful responses. A simple rig on a twelve foot daysailer is worlds apart from the rig on a fifty footer.

[Snore]

IMHO, was bent, it will be weakened forever at the bend.

It would be prudent to contact the manufacturer regarding this. May be time to hold a wake at Finnegans.

[Manateeman]

More specifics please. Boat. Mast shape, Size. Where is bend. What direction.
Mast up or down.
Just cannot recommend anything without more info.
The manatee crew.