Hi All,

Some of you will have seen the damage done by corrosion to my 1 year old mast section discovered at the Sauna Sail.

Well, I have popped the top cap and step out of it in an attempt to find the source. A torch was shone in and the light didnt reach the other end - Neither did the water from the hose
I poked around a bit and managed to remove a few peices of grass and a clothing label out of the bottom end I then got the mast almost vertical and filled it up with water from the top when it was full (remember the caps are gone) i banged it on the ground and this fell out:

It is not really clear, but the egg shells and dead bird tell the story - A bird had nested up in there about half way at some stage in the sections life. When the fittings were put in, the rivet heads at the diamonds held the nest and carcass in place. The corrosion was done by the acids in the bird.

I am telling this story to get everyone to check up a new section prior to sealing it up. Make sure you can see daylight

Good first project for winter...

Trevor

well, that was interesting, ewwww, well atleast you got to it b4 it got worse

Not very nice. I'm glad we can't smell it!

That bird must have wondered about it's universe if it hatched in there!!

On the bright side Trev, you've removed some weight.

Hi all,

allways a good idea to check a section inside and out when you first get it. I found some unusual looking die marks inside one a while back, could have been faults which could have lead to a breakage.

Hi Trevor,

What's the saying; a bird in each hull is better than a bird in the mast ?

What's the chance of ordering birds nest at the local Chinese restaurant next time you are having take away ?

Regards,

Peter