Work on the mast

We knew we ought to have the mast out and take a look. After the VHF antenna cable came loose on the way back from Mistley it became a must.

This is what we found:

Water had got in via the VHF antenna mount and the top 10cm of the mast was rotten.

Two wooden brackets holding the peak halyard on were slightly damaged.

Other than that everything was sound.

We stripped the Sadolin off and soaked epoxy into the mast and then varnished.

I made new brackets from teak.

We sawed off the top of the mast and made a new top out of russian redwood (same piece of timber used to repair the bulwarks last year). Fixed it on with 4 dowels and glue and then tacked a copper band round the join. Time will tell if its a good enough job.

Fitted the new home-made LED anchor light (bulb from ultraleds, brass bulb holder from Ryness, glass from an old spice bottle).