Had a good sail on sat at Botany, good event, big storms and a healthy 20 knots. I was packing up and the last thing to go in the ute was the mast, before the long drive back to canberra. Just as the rain started to pour again (me now in clothes, not in a wetsuit) I went to separate the the mast to put it in the ute and it wouldn’t separate. And I had no way of getting it home without separating it.

Luckily, there were 1 or 2 people left in the carpark, and Ben from Windsurf n snow was one of them. He spent ages with me in the rain trying everything to get these 2 mast pieces appart. We tried everything, 2 booms, shaking, swearing at it, I tried tapping it, shaking and pulling, twisting a rope onto it to get grip etc etc etc. Luckily Ben is a good guy with roof racks and offered to take it to the shop, and somehow get it to the Wanda event next weekend for me. Thanks heaps Ben and windsurf n snow. When I need something I'll come and see you first. Also thanks to the other fella who helped (didn’t get your name, sorry).
One thing I like about the windsurfing scene, people are always willing to lend a hand even if it is pouring rain.
I'm gonna see if I can get 2 oil filter removers small enough for the diameter for a mast, that might work next time.

HI Rev,

Someone from the shop will be there for sure so we can get it there for you no worries.

Haven't tried again to get it apart yet but will let you know how we go.

All the best,

Sam.

One ploy to avoid the stuck mast situation is :- make sure the two pieces are clean before you put them together and seal the join with electrical tape. No sand in the join means no stuck masts. One small roll of tape seals a lot of masts or one mast lots.
plev

you said "I'm gonna see if I can get 2 oil filter removers small enough for the diameter for a mast, that might work next time."

well ive found better
although I havent used it yet as my mast hasnt jammed but Aldi supermarket sells a 2 piece Turbo Grip made by delta very cheap it is 2 filter style removers but are belt material and go very small
not tried em but looks promissing.

As for sam...he is decent guy and goes out of his way to help...I remember leaving a mast base in his shop after purchasing a new board...i got to narrabeen and remember I forgot it.
As my board was 317 long it just fit in my van but blocked my mirror..so found it difficult to go back for it thru peak hour...well Sam said no worries after work hell drop it off to me at Narrabeen...in the meantime I repositioned the board so I could see out mirror and he arrived saving me driving back thru the peak traffic...certainly a nice gesture as I live near Penrith and wasnt gonna comeback next day.Cheers to Sam and the guys down there.

Thanks Crash and Sam,
Kind of you to offer Crash, and thanks Sam. I'll look for someone from your shop on sat. And Next time I'll rinse the mast b4 rigging up!
Might also invest in a thin rubber seal, and Aldi turbo grips...

Hey Rev,

She's unstuck!

Used a tie down strap wound around the top half near the join to hold one end firmly then had 2 guys on the pther end and she came undone pretty easily in the end.

See you on the weekend.

Sam.

lots of coffee, but it must be high quality