When lowering my mast to haul the boat off the beach for Idalia, I noticed a crack in my comptip, several inches in sort of an L shape. No idea how it happened or how long it has been there. Been sailing her this summer but not a lot.

I will be hunting an all aluminum replacement but I have epoxy and cloth on hand for other projects. Is it worth repairing to get me on the water? I was thinking of doing an isolated patch that extends a few inches out side the damage and then doing a few layers of cloth maybe 18 inches of the mast doing a full wrap from one edge of the crack to the other. I will not have a good way to get any cloth\epoxy on the inside of the repair.

First question - are you sure the fiberglass is cracked? The outer surface of the comptip is a layer of resin that can develop cosmetic cracks that aren’t a structural concern and wouldn’t need any repair.

If the fiberglass itself is cracked, then it’s really matter of the size and location of the crack. I fixed a cracked Hobie 18 comptip a few years ago by patching it similar to what you described, and it held up just fine. The comptips are pretty robust, but depending on the crack’s location, it could be an issue.

sm

Dogboy

First question - are you sure the fiberglass is cracked? The outer surface of the comptip is a layer of resin that can develop cosmetic cracks that aren’t a structural concern and wouldn’t need any repair.

If the fiberglass itself is cracked, then it’s really matter of the size and location of the crack. I fixed a cracked Hobie 18 comptip a few years ago by patching it similar to what you described, and it held up just fine. The comptips are pretty robust, but depending on the crack’s location, it could be an issue.

sm

Defiantly a crack, if I push down it hard enough it will start to separate and show glass shards.

There is a 2 inch vertical crack almost on the front face of the mast, and then a horizontal one that goes about half way to the track. It is about 1/2 way between where the comptip meets the aluminum mast and the mast head.

It would be helpful if you could provide a pic or two!

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Master UniRig Sailor
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In the past, when I had to repair fiberglass assemblies from the inside out, I ended up making my own long-reach tools to drag the pre-wetted glass strips inside the assembly, then use a dowel or something to press it into place. Usually a combination of dowels, wire hangers and disposable long-reach HF disposable tools.

It's a REAL PIA and very tedious, but also possible. Cleaning/prepping on the inside would be tougher. On a comp tip, I'd personally use epoxy-glass, running heavier strips or uni-glass down the axis of the mast, then follow up with a ring of layers of glass over that around the inner circumference. Outside would then just be cosmetic, but could be structural also, sandwiching the patch if so desired (and stronger).

I've seen them repaired strictly from the outside, but look ugly - though functional.

I wonder how much actual flex the comp-tip experiences? Patching it will affect that somewhat...

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Chuck C
NACRA 500 Mk2
Hobie 21se (sold)
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I had to do a repair on a 49er hull years ago. To do the inner layer I cut a hole around the damaged area and removed it. I shaped some fiberglass to fit the contour and glued it in place with some wet glass and resin. I think I used wire to hold it in place but screws would do the job. After applying the foam layer I glassed the outside layer. The repair never let go and the hull flexed reasonably normal in that area.
You might be able to cut out the damaged spot and build it back up feathering it as you go.

jalex

Defiantly a crack, if I push down it hard enough it will start to separate and show glass shards.

There is a 2 inch vertical crack almost on the front face of the mast, and then a horizontal one that goes about half way to the track. It is about 1/2 way between where the comptip meets the aluminum mast and the mast head.

I would be concerned about any horizontal crack in the mast. First step would probably be to step the mast and hook the mainsheet to the halyard. Then flip the boat on its side, crank on some sheet tension, and take a look at the crack to see if it’s opening up.

sm

Thank you for your responses. I’ve decided to put sailing on hold for a few weeks till I can pickup an aluminum mast. Still can’t figure out how it happened but I guess the important thing is I found it

I have an NOS Hobie 18 comptip if thats what you need.

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Greenville SC

Offering sails and other go fast parts for A-class catamarans
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jalex

but I guess the important thing is I found it

...before it found you on the water.

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Sheet In!
Bob
_/)_____/)_/)____/)____/)_____/)/)__________/)__
Prindle 18-2 #244 "Wakizashi"
Prindle 16 #3690 "Pegasus" Sold (sigh)
AZ Multihull Fleet 42 member
(Way) Past Commodore of Prindle Fleet 14
Arizona, USA
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