Guess I have to learn how to sail now.

[Tomfoolery]

If it were me, I'd sail it as-is, get used to it, then decide what, if any, changes I'd make. If this is your first boat, you won't know any better (no offense intended), and learning to sail and handle the boat will comes with enough challenges that a slightly reduced rig and sail plan can only help.

So there's the upside.

[taylormade]

If it were me, I'd sail it as-is, get used to it, then decide what, if any, changes I'd make. If this is your first boat, you won't know any better (no offense intended), and learning to sail and handle the boat will comes with enough challenges that a slightly reduced rig and sail plan can only help.

So there's the upside.

Definitely my first sail boat for sure. I just want to be comfortable in it. As it stands, I don't see how I'd be able to see around the main sail, I wouldn't be able to have the bimini up and it'd be not much fun trying to get into the cabin while under way.

Maybe you're right and I should at least learn on this rigging for a couple of outings, but this doesn't seem like any long term solution to me.

[Tomfoolery]

I have to agree - it's not a good long term solution.

And FWIW, you can buy the mast extrusion from BWY, among other sources.

[taylormade]

And FWIW, you can buy the mast extrusion from BWY, among other sources.

Of course I know what an extrusion is, but for everyone else here, why don't you explain it to them please?

[Jimmyt]

The mast shape made by pushing the metal through a die.

[taylormade]

And FWIW, you can buy the mast extrusion from BWY, among other sources.

Thus far I've found both their website and their online catalog search absolutely unusable. Seriously. I understand that it's better to use their catalog, but when I click on Find My Part, then enter 1999, 26X and push submit as instructed on the previous page, it literally brings back nothing. I've tried it with 2000, 2006, M you name it. Nada. Maybe their database is down. Maybe I should just email them.

The mast shape made by pushing the metal through a die.

Got it! So it's just the form or mold then, which would be nice I guess, but not necessarily paramount, right? I mean any 28' mast that's reasonably the same would work, wouldn't it? I just don't want something too big or too small. Do I need to have the exact form?

Also, upon further inspection, it appears that one of the POs may have tried to splice something together already with this because I noticed there was a piece of PT lumber jammed in the top of the mast. I assumed it was there to hold the wind direction teller... the windstrument? Did I just make up a word?

[Tomfoolery]

Thus far I've found both their website and their online catalog search absolutely unusable. Seriously. I understand that it's better to use their catalog, but when I click on Find My Part, then enter 1999, 26X and push submit as instructed on the previous page, it literally brings back nothing. I've tried it with 2000, 2006, M you name it. Nada. Maybe their database is down. Maybe I should just email them.

If using Internet Explorer, you probably have to open the page in Compatibility Mode, as they warn on the front page. My Firefox works fine with it, but I know that, depending on the version, IE can have the issue you're describing. And I think the drop down filter doesn't work, too. But it all works fine in Compatibility Mode.

Got it! So it's just the form or mold then, which would be nice I guess, but not necessarily paramount, right? I mean any 28' mast that's reasonably the same would work, wouldn't it? I just don't want something too big or too small. Do I need to have the exact form?

You don't need the exact form, but you want the spreader sockets and chicken head to fit, as well as the sail slugs or bolt rope, and the hinged foot, and so on. And the structural specs should be similar at least (strength in bending in both directions).

Also, upon further inspection, it appears that one of the POs may have tried to splice something together already with this because I noticed there was a piece of PT lumber jammed in the top of the mast. I assumed it was there to hold the wind direction teller... the windstrument? Did I just make up a word?

Windex. Brand name of one of the wind indicators available for mounting at the top of the mast. And there are others.

[dlandersson]

I use something similar in classes and meetings all the time.

And FWIW, you can buy the mast extrusion from BWY, among other sources.

Of course I know what an extrusion is, but for everyone else here, why don't you explain it to them please?

[taylormade]

So just to confirm... the RIGHT way to do it is to buy the mast, swap over all the hardware, buy new sails and be done with it once and for a long time, right? I can't just buy a slightly larger mast that's 5' and slide this mast inside it and bolt it up or find another matching mast and cut a few feet off it and splice it together and use the shorter sails for a good long while until I decide I need new rigging?

[sailboatmike]

You can use the shorter sails on the bigger mast, but obviously not the other way around.

Pay a bit extra for sails rather than buying the cheapest, good sails allow you to sail closer to the wind, reduce heeling force and will give you more speed, cheap sails will stretch and go soft in a shorter period.

Im toying with the idea of BWY exclusive sails at around $600US, much cheaper than here is Australia, a new main sail will set you back over $1200Au

[Signaleer]

If it were me, I'd sail it as-is, get used to it, then decide what, if any, changes I'd make. If this is your first boat, you won't know any better (no offense intended), and learning to sail and handle the boat will comes with enough challenges that a slightly reduced rig and sail plan can only help.

So there's the upside.

Definitely my first sail boat for sure. I just want to be comfortable in it. As it stands, I don't see how I'd be able to see around the main sail, I wouldn't be able to have the bimini up and it'd be not much fun trying to get into the cabin while under way.

Maybe you're right and I should at least learn on this rigging for a couple of outings, but this doesn't seem like any long term solution to me.

I'd sail it till you really have a reason to replace anything. The lower main will have a benefit of lower the CE (text book anyways) and with a smaller sail set you would actually (maybe) sail faster as a beginner by reducing heel. There is not a lot of downside with this at all.

[taylormade]

You can use the shorter sails on the bigger mast, but obviously not the other way around.

Pay a bit extra for sails rather than buying the cheapest, good sails allow you to sail closer to the wind, reduce heeling force and will give you more speed, cheap sails will stretch and go soft in a shorter period.

'appreciate the advice!

I'd sail it till you really have a reason to replace anything. The lower main will have a benefit of lower the CE (text book anyways) and with a smaller sail set you would actually (maybe) sail faster as a beginner by reducing heel. There is not a lot of downside with this at all.

I agree in theory, but the downsides (to me at least) are going to be the inability to have a bimini up while sailing and the general comfort of anyone trying to sit in the cockpit and/or enter the cabin with the boom so low. There's a strong possibility that I'm making way too much of this and I'll get the mast back on this weekend and do some "dry sailing" on the hard to see what I'm really dealing with. I certainly appreciate the advice and I hope you're right!

[taylormade]

Well it's been quite a few days working on the 'ol girl. I've got the engine purring, although there's still some mystery oil leak I need to track down, did a lot of cosmetic work, got some much needed cup holders installed, replaced the inverter and found yet another part that doesn't work... the battery charger. Good times!

Today I finally got the spreader bars changed, got the rigging all checked out and the sails raised for the first time! I've got some damage to the forestay so I think I'll be replacing that very soon, but other than that, everything worked as it should so I'm happy.

[Signaleer]

I can't see any of your pictures.... (the sight says it is under maintenance at this moment...)

But if there is even a single strand damaged on a forestry - don't sail it. I inspect for cracks, rusting, anything less than perfect... replace it.

A forestry failure is probably the worst failure for the right (although non of them is good.)

Ed

[Signaleer]

I can't see any of your pictures.... (the sight says it is under maintenance at this moment...)

But if there is even a single strand damaged on a forestry - don't sail it. I inspect for cracks, rusting, anything less than perfect... replace it.

A forestry failure is probably the worst failure for the rig (although none of them is good.)

Ed