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Mast Step

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Dave5041
Former Mainsheet Editor

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USA
3758 Posts

Initially Posted - 04/15/2008 : 16:37:44

Just for fun, I thought I would replace my mast step today. There were eight holes under the old step, so it had obviously been replaced. The old step aligned with the second and fourth pairs of holes and covered the first and third. The new CD step aligns with the first and fourth pairs with the pin slot in the same position, but the lateral spacing of the fourth pair is 1/4" to narrow and the first pair don't go through the liner. To top it off, the four unused holes were sealed with a glob of silicone that was also spread over the polysulfide of the original bedding. The good news is that deteriorated silicone peeled and flaked off easily, which is why it is not a good bedding compound. So now, after drilling out all eight holes, I am waiting until tomorrow so the epoxy can cure before re-drilling the four holes.

"Easy" and old boats rarely go together, but it keeps me off the streets and out of jail.

Dave B. aboard Pearl
1982 TR/SK/Trad. #3399
Lake Erie/Florida Panhandle

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Deric
Captain

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USA
408 Posts

Response Posted - 04/15/2008 : 19:59:36

Dave,

Nice to see that you replace items on your boat for fun. Was there anything in particular that called your attention to replacing the mast step?

BTW - If you are interested in a boat load of real fun, I have a ton of work that you may interested in doing on my boat -- no pun intended. ;-)

Deric

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Dave5041
Former Mainsheet Editor

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USA
3758 Posts

Response Posted - 04/15/2008 : 22:02:50

I hooked the pigtail on a shroud while raising the mast last year resulting in replacing the spreader, an adventure I mentioned on another thread. It also deformed the spreader bracket, but not badly so I waited until I came back from Florida to replace it. The port side of the mast step was bent outward when the mast swung. It wasn't really a serious issue, but I thought since I would take it off for new bolts and bedding that I might as well replace it with the longer one

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farrison
Navigator

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USA
166 Posts

Response Posted - 04/16/2008 : 10:50:50

While your at it, you may want to consider adding a mast plate under the step to attach blocks to for running your lines back for single handed sailing. I did that two years ago with mine. You'll get the added advantage of a larger surface area to distribute the mast load.
Just a thought...

Paul

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skrenz
Captain

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USA
351 Posts

Response Posted - 04/16/2008 : 10:56:50

The PO of my boat had replaced the mast step and included a mast plate so there is no way of seeing where the original holes were. Nor are there any bolt heads under the deck (what does the mast step bolt to??). Just because I am paranoid about previous work, is there a way of measuring where exactly the mast step pin is supposed to be fore and aft in relation to the rest of the boat?

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Dave5041
Former Mainsheet Editor

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USA
3758 Posts

Response Posted - 04/16/2008 : 11:44:51

I can check it later today, but I would expect the pin slot to align with the upper shrouds. The plate is primarily loaded in compression, but it still has to absorb some horizontal loads so I am still more comfortable with through bolts rather than screws. I would hate to have an unexpected lateral or longitudinal load rip out the step and bring everything down.

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Dave5041
Former Mainsheet Editor

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USA
3758 Posts

Response Posted - 04/16/2008 : 11:49:12

Forgot to mention - bolt and screw heads above, nuts and washers below deck.

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dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 04/16/2008 : 11:50:15

Acorn nuts?

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Dave5041
Former Mainsheet Editor

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USA
3758 Posts

Response Posted - 04/16/2008 : 16:52:06

Acorns are not just for squirrels, they save skin too. And the pivot is basically in line with the uppers.
I considered a mast plate, but all my hardware running lines aft is already deck mounted. I would not only need to remove and fill holes, but also buy new blocks to attach to the plate. I do understand the value of keeping loads in the mast instead of the deck (I converted my last boat with a mast plate), but this has worked well and blocks are not cheap.

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Deric
Captain

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USA
408 Posts

Response Posted - 04/16/2008 : 20:56:05

Dave,

Sounds like you thought your project through and have made a decision. You think your project with be completed by the end of this weekend? I am still working on 5 projects on my boat: everything from stripping the bottom to glass work, and electronic installations. I hope I get my boat done before June 1.

Deric

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Dave5041
Former Mainsheet Editor

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USA
3758 Posts

Response Posted - 04/16/2008 : 22:03:41

The base is mounted and the bedding is curing - tighten down in a couple of days. Email today said my gudgeons have shipped, that is the last of a three part order, and will be mounted next week to eliminate play in the rudder. I still have a long list of projects, but nothing to keep me out of the water, nothing that must be done. Unfortunately, I have a son who has inconveniently scheduled his law school graduation for May 3 in Florida, so I won't be in the water until May twenty something - if we have to go to Florida anyway, we might as well go to the beach for a couple of weeks.

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Deric
Captain

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USA
408 Posts

Response Posted - 04/17/2008 : 20:29:32

Dave,

Be glad your son is graduating! Congratulations. ;-) I just painted the cap of my companionway using the BrightSide paint. I am very pleased with the results.

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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.