replacing a broken mast

[newbe]

I need to replace the mast of my wauquiez pretorien (a 35' sloop) that was broken in the last hurricane(s) that hit Florida. The splicing and sleeve option does not seem viable as it would be the second such splice on the mast. The rig is a large-foretriangle masthead rig with a double speader, the boat design is rather stiff.
My budget is quite limited so I can't afford a new mast. What options do I have in term of used mast -what brands?-and how hard would it be to locate one?
Thanks for your answers!

[Eric Sponberg]

Well, for starters, since there are a lot of broken boats in Florida because the hurricanes, you might find a totaled boat with an intact rig that you can buy really cheap. You simply have to scrounge, and that means visiting the boat heaps themselves. I don't know of any central clearing house that you could check for used rigs.

You need to find a mast that is of similar cross-section and wall thickness. It needs to be about the same height and with the same number of spreaders, shrouds and stays. The rigging should be in good condition, but if the mast is longer than yours, you may have to shorten the rigging a little.

What about insurance? Was your boat not insured, and therefore, you did not get a settlement?

Eric

[PAR]

I've just made my second run about the coasts looking for deals and helping out friends who's boats have taken some damage.

Unfortunately the rig gets beat to hell in these types of storms and is usually the first thing to have difficulties. That said, there are a lot of folks who have had it with the upkeep and effort owning a yacht after a few hard hits, and deals are to be had.

That's the good news, the bad is you have quite a bit of leg work to find what you need. Email me the specs for your rig and I'll see what I can find or know of. This should include the section type of your stick, wall thickness, configuration and budget.

There are a few publications that may be useful, try a search for used marine equipment and see what hits.

Leg work is the real key to getting deals. There are lots of lookers wandering about the marinas and repair yards, but when the staff realize you're back and serious about getting what you need then they soften up and tell you about "old Joe's" boat as they give you his phone number. They will not do this to the folks they don't know or haven't seen before, but will become more friendly if this is the third time they've seen you in the yard, before 8 in the morning with some doughnuts brought for the staff.

This requires time, effort and road dues, but will net the best deals. That aside, you'll have to hope for a listing in "Soundings" or other ad rag or just plan get lucky in a walk on or web search.

Good Luck,

[newbe]

Thanks for the suggestion Eric. Unfortunatly the boat was not insured, hence the budget issue.
O

[newbe]

Thanks for the offer, I'll get you the specs asap.
O