Wow, what a great thread.
I been reading it all now, more intense than a very good book.
I bought ballad Nr. 323 (built 1973) last season, and was until recently unaware of the problematic mast truss construction of the ballad.
My heart sank a bit when I learned about it, as I have planned for laucnhing the boat in water in a couple of weeks.
I have bought an USB endoscope today and I will inspect my mast truss this weekend. I keep my fingers crossed that It looks as
Mads did a couple of pages back, then I believe I can safely await until next winter to remove the truss and build a new one.
If it looks like the ones of Bob and Mark, I think I will "take the bull by the horn" and postpone the launching of the boat a couple of weeks and follow through with a removal of the old truss and inserting a new wooden one. This thread is really invaluable, thanks guys for so carefully documenting and sharing your processes!!
Update:
This is how the mass truss looked like. Looks pretty ok I believe. I don't think there's any acute need to replace it.
![my_photo-7.jpg](./download/file.php?id=184&sid=d2d2f1290f2b831a78e8cb9ca747a596)
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