Status of replacement masts and having one on reserve

Posted By: Bob Pr. S2 6.7 #81, "The TARDIS", Topeka, KS
Date: 6/27/04 9:00p.m.

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We've recently sold our first mast as a dealer for the former Kenyon MORC 2740 which is now made by Charleston Spar. Jim Siebert (KY) was our first customer and by buying through us he enriched our treasury slightly. Thank you, Jim! Prior to this arrangement, RigRite (in RI) was the only source for 6.7 or 6.9 replacement spars. RigRite gives the impression that they bought up all of Kenyon's old stock and draws from that supply. Perhaps that's somewhat true BUT Charleston Spar makes that section and RigRite is listed as one of Charleston Spar's dealers. Sometimes RigRite is easy to deal with and sometimes they are extremely difficult. Gary deSantis in MN, a sailboat and former S2 dealer, waited over 6 monhs for RigRite to supply a 6.9 replacement mast. I think RigRite will supply a painted blank; Charleston will not -- they do clear coat anodizing ($90) and, if requested, provide that in a sanded finish that allows over-painting. RigRite's price per milled opening ($10) is lower than what we have to pay Charleston Spar ($25) and, since there are at least 14 openings in the mast that can be significant: (4 halyard exits; 2 lowers; 2 uppers; 2 for spreaders; 1 spinnaker pole lift; 1 jib stay; 1 jib halyard; 1 main halyard.) My understanding is that these can be done DIY with a Dremel and sometime later I'll explore buying from Charleston Spar some jigs for the class to rent out which would make DIYing easier. Our cost to our class for picking up one anodized 6.7 spar with one milled sailgate (including tax) was $473.17. Jim made arrangements for a person to drive to Charlotte, NC, where the Charleston Spar plant is located, and bring it back. Total time for negotiations, etc., to pick up this mast was about 3 weeks. I think now that we've done it once and have payment methods, etc., worked out, the shortest usual time could be 1-2 weeks. However, a big determining factor as to where and from whom you may want to buy your replacement mast will be where you're located, where the mast is needed. Shipping costs from Charlotte, NC, can easily exceed the cost of the mast. These masts are somewhat fragile and need protection from a shipping container. Charleston Spar suggested we buy a reusable one from them (maybe $400?) which can hold as many as 4 masts safely. However, that would also need to be shipped back to Charleston Spar for use again and that would double the total shipping costs. I suspect/hope that our class can make arrangements with some of Charleston Spar's existing dealers to include one of our masts in their next shipment. But, for some dealers -- how often would they get in a new shipment? -- maybe in 3 months? -- 6 months? -- a year? People who live within driving distance of RI might also see what they can work out with RigRite. When I comparison shopped with RigRite about Charleston Spar's prices, RigRite had a slightly longer mast of that same section they'd cut off and sell at a slightly cheaper price. (But the distance and potential shipping costs made Charleston Spar's price cheaper for Jim.) But for anyone needing a spar, the price of the blank, the time of availability, the cost of milling openings, plus the cost and time of delivery are all factors to weigh. The usual turn around time from order to delivery from Charleston Spar through our class is short enough that for now I do not see a great advantage in tying up about $450 of our class money in "a mast ahead" program. (If you see a need, please correct me. If we were to get up to 80-100 class members and more fleet racing, that might tip the balance but I don't see that we're at that point yet.) If you know of some "throw away" container that we could cheaply send to Charleston Spar so that they could ship a spar safely, that would be a big help. Any suggestions along those lines would be greatly appreciated -- as well as any suggestions for other approaches, ideas, or ways to more effectively and cheaply handle this issue.