I just broke the mast on my Bim2000 A-cat (2 part carbon) caused by a strong gusty shift that created a strong accidental gybe resulting in .... (it broke in the lower section at no particular stress point).
My question, however, is that I want to replace the trampoline stiching while I am getting a new mast. Lacing at the rear was easy, but the side has been problimatic. Unlike the usual slide, it seems that the plastic pipe must be removed while the trapoline stays. On my A-cat this plastic pipe is too tight. I tried loosening the beam bolts a little but noticed that it is not loosing. Could the cross beams be glued to the hulls? Is this the right approach? When it is fixed, any tips to get the trampoline get it back in?
Finally, the mast tip should be removed. Any other tips to remove this other than careful use of a screwdriver to pry?
Thanks,
Matt
Matt,
I will e-mail you in response. Sorry to hear about the mast. Are you OK? Mast can be replaced, while bodys are more difficult to repair!
Sail Fast and Light,
W.F.
Thanks WF-
Unfortunately, I (like you if I recall) have far too much experience loosing masts on the water. One of the great things about an A-cat is that it is so light that when a big guy like myself tries to share the space occupied by the boat, I would expect to win. In reality, however, this was just mast breaking weather that I would not normally venture into except that I have had a bad streak of little wind every time I take it out and there was an Optimist sailing camp complete with crash boats going at at the same time.
You got to break some parts to find the limits...
What about tips to remove the top mast section....?
Matt