How would you fix this?

Boat = Inter 20

I am going to be upgrading to the new mast base that will render these holes obsolete and figured while I have some West Epoxy mixed up for some other stuff I would fill these in. Problem is it is just far enough up in the mast I can't reach it to put a backing to dam the epoxy.

Any ideas? I was thinking of clamping an old batten in place with either covering it with wax paper to keep it from sticking/bonding or a partial cut to break off once it is sets up.

Has anyone done this repair? Or have any other recommendations?

How about cutting out a piece of suitable backing material that will fit through the hole, put a string through in, slide into hole, pull against holes, apply epoxy, cut off string.

use thickened epoxy and it shouldn't be a huge issue. Might need a couple coats though.

Thought about that, that is using some colloidal silica to thicken it up, still thinking I'll need some sort of backing.



Actually thinking of this, have some pieces that I had cut off the luff channel to accomidate the new downhaul system as they may be a good candidae for the backing.

I'll let you know if I go this way - thanks!

I would use white Marine Tex. I would first try to indent the hole a little bit below the level surface, sand, and apply Marine Tex. This stuff is incredibly strong and can easily be sanded smooth. Jim.

Grind the paint off and slap an epoxy patch on the outside
That's not a good spot for a raggedy hole. Strength before cosmetics

it's not really a structural issue since those holes are there anyway...though your "wollered out" bit doesn't increase strength, it's probably OK as the area where that rotator bar was isn't one of the higher stress areas. I would cut a piece of a tongue applicator (or similar) and drill a hole in the middle of it. I would put epoxy on the applicator ends, put it through the hole, and pull it against the inside of the mast using the string. Let the epoxy cure. Then build up the hole using epoxy and milled fiberglass (or carbon). Fumed silica is fine - but sanding it later is a real pain. Microballoons wouldn't give enough cross linking strength to the patch.

get an epoxy putty repair stick (looks like a stick of rock ), the sort you snap(pull a bit off ) and then rub together till you get a uniform colour(which means hardener and epoxy fully mixed ), stick in hole ,it has plenty body so you dont have to worry about a backer , can even be stuck to vertical surfaces , sand it before its fully set as once set its as hard as buggery - so they say !

Takes about 10 mins to set ROCK hard.

Its great for quick repairs to foils etc too , uses only limited by your imagination.

it even sets under water .

I came across it doing emergency repairs to water tanks at work

Don't use anything as a backer plate that will absorb water and/or rot - like a piece of wood.

Take a piece of fiberglass mat and wet it out with resin on a plastic sheet. After the resin has gone off, but while it's still "green" and somewhat flexible, trim it to size with scissors (about 2X the size of the hole), and lace a piece of fishing line through the middle. Gob some thickened resin on it, insert through the hole and pull back with the fishing line. Keep tension on the line until the resin sets.

The rest of Jake's advice is spot on.

I would turn the mast so the holes were facing down. Then mix some epoxy that was just thick enough that it will hold it's shape but thin enough that when tapped a couple times it will settle a bit. Put that on the wax paper or on the back side of clear packing tape. Place it over the hole. Several taps and walk away.

This thread is cool.

I love using the expression 'there's a dozen ways to skin a cat' and none are necessarily better than the other.

For this low stress area, any of these methods would work, IMO, FWIW

How close is the boat to being ready to sail? A few of us up in Santa Barbara with N20's and F18's wouldn't mind racing...

That would be nice if a few of youguys would come down to Ventura and help keep the Anacapa Race from dying. We've only been trying to get youguys to do it for the last 8 years. Even when we could do the Hard Way Race (Land Rover Island Series) only ONE person from SB did it on an old P19. It was pretty sad to see the one I20 and three or four F18's sitting on the beach being held down by spider webs while we waited for our start. Boats came from Arizona and SanDiego to do the race but the Santa Barbara sailors must have had some roller blading to do or something.

Actually there were two of us from SB the last time it was run (still not that good). The P19 and my F18. I think this year I am the Hardway PRO for the SB side. I'll be there for at least the Milt Ingram. One other guy from up here says he will come too. I've talked it up as much as I can to the rest of the F18 fleet for two years. So, maybe someone else will come in 2011.

I am shooting for it first sail on Supper Bowl Sunday - should have the mast back together next weekend and the it is just a matter getting it steeped and rigged.

When are the going to open up Leadbetter for beach permits?

First Friday of April. If you are interested in racing, you might be able to get into the SB sailing club yard next to the beach.