1956 wooden Comet mast repair

[jman1]

Hello all,
I am looking for some help regarding a hole through a wooden Comet sailboat. The mast had rotten through where the stays attached. Im assuming water got in where the screw was run through the mast causing rot. I've been doing research on how I would need to repair the hole and everything points to the need scarf. I have found helpful information on scarfing a section of the mast but I have not found anything that addresses what may need to be done when the hole goes all the way through the mast. Any help or information regarding what may need to be done to fix the mast would be greatly appreciated or even if it is beyond fixing. This may be a job beyond my abilities but it also may be just as difficult to find a new mast for the boat. Attached is a picture of the rotten section mostly cleared of the soft wood.20230505_080858.jpg

[Peerie Maa]

Re: 1956 wooden Comet mast repaibr />
Welcome to the Forum.
If it is one of these, it would be better to scarf on a new top end.


It will be easier and stronger. Use a clothes-pin scarf. http://forum.woodenboat.com/showthre...o-back-on-spar

[lupussonic]

Re: 1956 wooden Comet mast repaibr />
What Nick said ^^, and cut away a lot further from the hole; you cant see mycelium growing in the wood. How far is up to you, but I would go 3 feet from the holes at least, impregnate with rot killer for a few days, allow to dry, then make your scarf.

[Peerie Maa]

Re: 1956 wooden Comet mast repaibr />

What Nick said ^^, and cut away a lot further from the hole; you cant see mycelium growing in the wood. How far is up to you, but I would go 3 feet from the holes at least, impregnate with rot killer for a few days, allow to dry, then make your scarf.

Just so, although I was told 18 inches past the start of the solid, healthy looking wood.

[johngsandusky]

Re: 1956 wooden Comet mast repaibr />
Welcome aboard!
There are several ways you can repair that. Search "clothespin scarf". I've repaired a rotten mast by scarfing on new wood one side at a time until it was new all the way around the damaged section. Finding another mast may not be terribly difficult either. I think a lot of Comets were built, I suspect there's an association for them. In the case of small boats, the rigs often outlive the hulls. Good luck.

[Andrew2]

Re: 1956 wooden Comet mast repaibr />
Scarf angle should be 12:1 for masts.
A2