[Public-List] Cracked masthead on first generation A-30

[George Dinwiddie]

Rachel wrote:
> Hello fellow Albergers,
> 
> Today I found that I have a crack in my cast aluminum masthead.  I guess 
> I can't complain too much, as this is the first thing I've found on the 
> boat that the Previous Owner bludged up - for the most part he took very 
> good care of the boat, and kept it in good, original condition.
> 
> Anyway, what's happened is that he rigged up an extended "crane" for a 
> spinnaker halyard, but using two chainplates with some wood sandwiched 
> between to extend the front of the masthead forward and mount a block.  
> The flaw came in because the wood was not a suitable compression block, 
> and then tightening the fasteners caused one of the two "ears" at the 
> top forward of the masthead to try to bend inward a shade.  Cast 
> aluminum does not like to bend, so I've got a hairline crack near where 
> the clevis pin for the forestay goes through, on the port-side ear.
> 
> I remember talk of new mastheads being fabricated, but it was one of 
> those subjects I wasn't dealing with at the time, so I don't remember 
> the details.  Can anyone fill me in?  Are they available?  From whom and 
> at what cost?

There are photos at 
http://alberg30.org/maintenance/disorganized/masthead/ and searching for 
"new masthead" (with the quotes) on the google search box on the 
alberg30.org site turns up some of the previous discussion on the topic.

  - George

-- 
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   When I remember bygone days                         George Dinwiddie
   I think how evening follows morn;            gdinwiddie at alberg30.org
   So many I loved were not yet dead,           http://www.Alberg30.org
   So many I love were not yet born.
                'The Middle' by Ogden Nash
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