QuestionQUESTION: I recently purchased a complete wayler set up. I was told by an anonymous windsurfer (that I can now no longer get ahold of) that I could use a chinook base cup kit to adapt the mast foot to accept modern mast extensions. How do I get the mast foot assembly apart? Can you figure out a way in which to make this work? -Shannon
ANSWER: Wow a Wayler. That was my first board back in 1982! I can't believe they are still out there. You can adapt a chinook base cup kit but the part the gets inserted into the board is the part that cannot be adpbted and is not available. What condition is the piece that you insert into the board? Can you send me photos of your mast foot so I can tell you what to do? Also send photos of the Wayler!Send photos to
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QUESTION: The bottom part of the mast foot (with the expansion bolt surrounded by rubber) is in perfect condition. I've already sailed the board with the original mast, mast foot, original Wayler sail (has a small Wayler ad printed on it, how cool) and boom which we're in fantastic condition. I was fortunate enough to know an old-schooler who showed me how to attach the boom to the mast. Wow... I'm surprised you guys continued to sail after learning that!!
I was able to take off the very top part of the mast foot assembly but the bolt that remains is going to be too short to adequately attach the new chinook assembly (only about 2-3 threads). I can't replace the old bolt with a longer one because I can't remove the old one due to how the assembly rotates. There are what seem to be removable plastic caps on the rotating part of the "middle joint" of the unit but trying to pop them off (without any excessive force for fear of damaging something that now can't be replaced) has proved impossible. There must be a pin or some other piece housed in the "middle joint" that holds the "upper joint" and I have a feeling this pin is hidden between these two caps. I'll try to send pix. -Shannon
AnswerSend me the photos, I can't remember what the original setup looked like. I know I did a conversion for it myself many years ago. You may want to try to detach the bottom expansion mechanism from the rubber joint and replace the joint with one that has female bolt connections. Does your rubber joint have male studs sticking out of it? Go to Southport rigging and take a look at the parts they sell.
http://www.southport-rigging.com/browse.cfm/parts-tools/2,1166.html