This summer, while mounting steps mast, I discover that a stainless steel plate has caused a big hole under it, by electrolitic corrosion. The mast is over 40 years.

On the ground the parts I'll use to repair.

I decide to repair

The first thing was to cut the mast in 2 and then to clean the corroded parts. So I cut...

The other part...

Then I start to grind as you can see on the lower side of the mast.

Then I put a piece of alloy. This was done in a workshop but unfortunately they can't do a whole "circle" with their machine so I improvise.

Then I drill...

Then I start to put some alloy pop rivets (107 at the end). I put a lot of silicon on each rivet and between the parts.

Then I continue with some alloy on the other side

Another thing was to made a part to replace the ruined alloy. I strech by hand a piece of alloy on the mast then I screw it to the mast to get the curve.

Note that I put washers inside and outside to do this work, before to drill the 2 parts together.

Now the 2 parts of the mast are quite OK...

So I start to adjust the thing using the same process

Finally, the work was done and seems strong. Now the 2 parts of the mast are quite OK...

The dark spots on the mast is painting. I know it's not terrific, but I'd like to sail a little bit!

The end. Philippe de Bersuder & Orion