Masts

[Simon Head]

Hello Everyone

I thought I would just pass on my experience of replacing a SA mast with a new Honnor Marine one.

I did this after the SA one split, although this was 2 years after the event.

The HM mast is better made, it is pretty well solid with a hole down the middle to take mast head cables. It is definitely heavier than the SA one, although not that much. The SA mast is made using a strip technique (hence the reason why it can fracture along a joint)- the HM one is made from 2 sections.

No differerence occured with the position of mast head fittings- the rig sits in the same place.

The only thing that I had to insist on modification was the square section which sits in the tabanackle. This went higher than the top of the tabanackle which meant that the gaff jaws dug into the wood when lowered and swung. I had this part "rounded" which fixed the problem.

I am pretty certain that after I raised this with Bob he now does this with every mast now.

Regards

Simon Head