In fall 2011 I ran the main sail head board car off the top of the foil inside the mast. In the spring, mid-April to be clear about this, when they took the mast out to put everything right again they discovered that the bottom 8 feet of the mast was cracked. Thus began a journey that was originally estimated to be 4-6 weeks and eventually stretched into September. Below is a photographic essay of the day the mast was put into the boat. Other related events can be found here on the 2012 projects page.
![]() This picture shows the location of the old mast and where it should have been: Centered on the red dot. |
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![]() Laying out some parts. |
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![]() The crane moving into position aft of the boat. |
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![]() Mike Sipala is handling that ~55 feet mast as though it were nothing more than a match stick. |
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![]() The Scottish Highlanders and their wimpy cabers have nothing on Sipala! |
![]() No rude comments please. |
![]() Easy does it. |
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![]() The pause that refreshes. |
![]() Vertigo? |
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![]() It's a long way to the top. |
![]() This is my second day under sail with the new mast. The first day was in rather poor weather so I didn't take pictures. At the time this photo was taken I am under just the genoa since the main sail is still under construction. |
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My mast is the near one.If you look closely you can see the curve of this beauty as she reaches skyward. Everyday I admire it as I walk down the dock. |
The new main, crying out to be sailed. |
The Sipala Spars and Rigging crew, Chuck and Mike (L to R) |
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