With the mast down, many jobs that are awkward or incomplete aloft become straightforward. A systematic mast-down inspection is a good opportunity to service wear items, document the spar and deal with small problems before the mast is stepped again.
Mast-down inspection zones
Extrusion
Inspect the full mast section for dents, corrosion, cracking, damaged coatings and evidence of previous repairs.
Masthead & sheaves
Check sheaves, pins, spacers and axle wear, and confirm halyards run freely without sharp edges.
Spreaders
Check spreader roots, tips, brackets, fasteners and any local movement or corrosion.
Gooseneck & vang
Inspect pins, bushes, brackets and fasteners, and look for movement or wear around the attachment area.
Rigging attachments
Check T-terminal slots, tangs, eyes and other stay fittings for deformation, corrosion and cracking.
Electrical systems
Test navigation lights, deck lights, antennas, wind instruments and cable condition while access is easy.
Running rigging and internal lines
Inspect halyards for chafe where they pass over sheaves or exit the mast. Check messenger lines before removing any halyard that will be replaced later. Confirm that internal lines are not twisted around electrical cables or each other.
Standing rigging interfaces
If standing rigging is being replaced, record the existing attachment types and photograph each mast terminal before the old rigging is removed. This helps avoid uncertainty when the new shrouds and stays are manufactured.
Before the mast goes back up
Planning mast-down work?
MLMR can support mast inspections, standing-rigging replacement, running rigging and mast/boom service work while the spar is down.