My existing ex windsurfer mast is alloy 430 cm long. I want to use bigger sails on lighter wind days so I expect that the luff on the bigger sails will be longer than my mast.This directs me to ask whether windsurfer mast extensions (which I gather are used to deploy different sized sails) could be used in my mini.Not having seen a mast extension in the flesh,I don't know how they work.Can anyone assist?
Google Image search...
Winndsurfer mast extension.
I dont think that would work for your application.
vacuum cleaner tubes fit on top of masts very well.
If your missus catches you nicking bits of the household vac. feel free to blame me
stephen
If the tube is a bit small in diameter and threatens to slip down glue a ring of pvc pipe around it with silicon. In fact you might want to add pvc pipe all the way to the top to protect the tube.
As an alternative a double thickness pvc pipe(one inside another)for strength, might be the go
Thanks chaps. I thought the mast extension might slot inside my mast step if I cut the plastic foot off and give the mast extra height from the bottom rather than adding to the top.Again,having never seen one up close and knowing the dimensions I can't say.But I do have a section of vacuum cleaner tube in my shed
It just so happens that I am doing an extension right now Some sections of aluminium tube that fit into each other and will give me another 680mm height
Never throw short bits of tube away! Extending at the top is usually the easiest way to go The bottom takes a lot of load on a land yacht
Windsurfer masts are supported higher up
Here's one I made to extend the top of the mast. It has a swiveling crane too...
Several holes in the tube allow adjustments in overall length, and the inside of the tube is padded with some plastic so it won't cut into the mast
Not sure if you have this sorted yet, but i found that two Plastic plumbing risers, (25mm from memory) and a screwed joint. from the local hardware store.
On the mast I ended up using for my first build, I then turned off the hex on the joiner and secured it to the mast with heatshrink.
Worked a treat.
