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 Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums
 Catalina 250 Specific Forum
 Mast Pitting		  New Topic  Reply to Topic
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crystal_blue
1st Mate

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USA
76 Posts
Initially Posted - 03/21/2026 :  13:59:34  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
Good morning, all -

I have had my mast off the boat for the last few days to prep for some wiring/lighting projects, which has given me a chance to really do a closer and more leisurely inspection than I've traditionally done in the three years that I've owned the boat.

In looking at it, I've noticed two lines of pitting maybe two feet up the forward edge of the mast. I'm having issues getting the forum photo upload to work, so will link to a couple of Google-hosted photos that will hopefully illustrate what I mean:

https://photos.app.goo.gl/uULdJYwBGu3rKVGR6
https://photos.app.goo.gl/iuqSN24TnimncjuD7

I presume this is due to some sort of electrolysis, perhaps from a short in the mast wiring system (which we replaced today). My questions are:
1) Is my diagnosis of electrolysis, correct?
2) Do I need to start worrying about the structural integrity of my mast?

Thanks--
Jim and Crystal Smith
Lehi, Utah
1996 Catalina 250 WB #191 "Mariah"

OLarryR
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3502 Posts
Response Posted - 03/21/2026 :  20:37:00  Show Profile  Visit OLarryR's Homepage  Reply with Quote
I am not familiar with the mast/setup on a Cat250 as I have a Cat25. Maybe you are right about the electrolysis but I find it hard to believe it is that especially when it continues past to the lower section below the hole. Also, I just find it hard to believe electrolysis would set up that way along that distance. Hopefully, someone with 250 experience will weigh in.

What I was wondering about and again I am not familiar with the 250, is it possible you have a line (halyard, etc) that runs along the mast, perhaps when boat is itied up and in it's slip - that line then continually hits/slaps the mast when not around the boat. I know that some boat owners the way they tie up their lines, when they are not around, the line continually slaps the mast - You can hear the line even from a distance.. Possibly, over a long period, that would cause the pitting/finish deterioration but I would not think it would cause 2 distinct straight line marks. But this is the only thing that came to mind...even if unlikely.
Larry
'89 Robin's Nest#5820, Potomac River/Quantico, Va
http://catalina25.homestead.com/olarryr.html
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Notice: The advice given on this site is based upon individual or quoted experience, yours may differ.
The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.