Mast question

[Lee]

Hi,

I just bought #2358 from a Craig's List ad, and I am sure I saved her from imminent destruction! She is in rough shape, and missing most of her gear.

My question involves the mast; The mast has a stainless steel hinge/flange just above the cuddy cabin. The upper section of the mast is broken just above the spreader fittings, only one of which is still attached.

This hinge looks like a handy way to raise and lower the mast.

Here is my question; Is the hinge still part of Daysailer gear, or was this an early experiment which was later decided to be a bad idea?

Should I try to replace just the upper section of the mast and keep the hinge, or find a used single extrusion mast?

My other question; has the sail area and shape of Daysailer sails changed over the different models, or are they still the same? I need to know this as I look for used sails for my boat.

The main that came with the boat may well be the original sail, but it is in shreds. The sail numbers match the class number on the builder's plate on the forward bulkhead. Wooden battens, no less. Historic.

The boat was full of leaves, twigs, and acorns, so we named her Acorn.

Thx,
Lee

[algonquin]

Acorns Float !! That’s Good !!

Could you post pic of the “hinge” ? It should help to determine if it’s the standard modification done by a prior owner. The DS normally came with the mast intact. Brad

[algonquin]

Should I try to replace just the upper section of the mast and keep the hinge, or find a used single extrusion mast?Lee

When this mod is normally done the position of the hinge cut is somewhat arbitrary and can vary from one boat to the other. You will need to find an intact full length mast then cut it to install the hinge and use both the lower and top sections from this newer replacement mast. This will help eradicate any measurement issues. I prefer this mod because it does help when stepping the mast alone. Brad

[rnlivingston]

Hi Lee

I see you are in MA. I am involved with Fleet 49 at the Webster Sailing Association in Webster, MA. Not many Day Sailers left on the property, but it would be worth a ride out in the spring to see how some of the boats are set up. I'll be working on my new Day Sailer 6872 I picked up this fall.

Roger Livingston
Mariner 4096
DS1 6872

[GreenLake]

The downside of a mast hinge is that it will affect boat speed - adversely. The upside you already know. If you'll never race agaisnt another DaySailer, that difference may not matter, but if you do, the opinion seems to be that cut masts are not as competitive.

The sail plan (sail dimensions) has been fixed, what's variable across the class are the details of mast construction (straight/tapered, single extrusion/cut) and the diameter of the stays.

The Daysailer Handbook on this site gives the required dimensions for class legal boats. With these in hand, you should be able to come up with the correct mast dimensions. Note that the official measurements are limits, not exact dimensions, and that the distance between mast step and deck is not regulated.

[Moose]

D&R marine carries the DS mast. If your up for a bit of an adventure you can get one from Dwyer in conn. directly. In most cases a broken mast cannot really be repaired.

I just switched from a hinged mast to a one piece... not impossible to step alone... not hard with two people.

Where are you in MA?