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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

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Mast damage while preparing for Irene

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Shauneen
1st Mate

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USA
27 Posts

Initially Posted - 08/31/2011 : 18:55:33

Good Evening All
In our hast to pull out ahead of the storm I made a major mental error and the mast fell(the boat was on the trailer). The mast pulled off the mast boot leaving a "tear" in the mast from the mast screw to the bottom of the mast about 1.5". I spoke with Catalina Direct and they said that happens fairly oten in the C22s. He recommended making a shim from some type of heavy plastic,cutting the mast the same amount as the height of the shim and installing the shim under a new mast boot. That will also require us to cut new slots for the pulleys and running rigging that exit the base of the mast. Ida Rudder sent me a piece of their rudder material cut exactly to size. It arrived within 48 hours. Now here is my question-My husband thinks we can leave the mast as is and drill a new set of holes further up the mast (at the top of the mast boot slot). I'm afraid that will cause the mast to bind when we go to raise it. Has anyone else had this problem? Any thoughts on cutting the mast versus trying to drill a new set of holes first?

Also I did remount the mast plate once. I don't remember what compound I used. It cleaned up rather easily. What type of bedding compound should I use?

Thank you again for all of your insights
Shauneen

Edited by - on

Sloop Smitten
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1181 Posts

Response Posted - 08/31/2011 : 19:16:45

My thoughts:
Catalina Direct has a lot of experience with a lot of different Catalina models. If this is their recommendation I would follow it. If the bolt is to close to top of the slot in the mast boot (I believe we refer to it as a mast step plate here) it will bind as the mast is raised or lowered. Once fully up the mast settles down but during the raising the bolt is at its most extended point when the mast is at about a 45 degree angle. I do not recall how close the bolt gets to reaching the end of the slot so your husband might be right. If you have enough people to help you could try his idea first. If it binds at 45 degrees you are going to want some people with strong backs helping you. I would use 3M 4200 or Boatlife's Life-Calk to bed the mast plate.

Edited by - on

OJ
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4382 Posts

Response Posted - 08/31/2011 : 19:21:10

Very sorry to hear about your mishap - sounds like no one was hurt thankfully!

I know you're not asking for an alternative plan - but the plastic shim seems like an absurd solution . . . something a boatyard hack would do. I lean towards your husband's idea - except redrill the original holes after having a welder cut out and weld in new aluminum or sister strips on the inside or even weld on fender washers inside and out - before I'd start moving slots and the like. Good grief. Think about how it might impact saleability in the future also. That's just my opinion . . . and not my boat.

3M 4200 is a great sealant - but check for compatibility with plastic.

Edited by - OJ on 08/31/2011 19:56:39

Dave5041
Former Mainsheet Editor

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USA
3758 Posts

Response Posted - 09/01/2011 : 07:40:42

4200 is still primarily an adhesive. If polysulfide isn't compatible with the plastic, there are other non-polyurethane products that are. The mast is loaded in compression, so the tear will be very susceptible to collapse. The shim would be a reasonable option for the compression loads and more reliable than a welded patch without a structural analysis of the the rest of the foot of the mast. Aluminum masts are fairly brittle and unseen micro fractures or creases could focus the load and cause failure.

EDIT: The polysulfide will not be in contact with the plastic while it cures, so use it. Let it cure fully, 2-5 days before raising the mast so it doesn't squeeze out. Polysulfide is the bedding of choice in nearly all marine applications

Edited by - Dave5041 on 09/01/2011 07:54:27

TakeFive
Master Marine Consultant

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2272 Posts

Response Posted - 09/01/2011 : 08:33:54

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Dave5041
 ...Polysulfide is the bedding of choice in nearly all marine applications
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
When I checked a couple of months ago, it seemed that 3M had discontinued their polysulfide marine sealant. Could you suggest a different brand?

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Sloop Smitten
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1181 Posts

Response Posted - 09/01/2011 : 10:20:14

Rick,
Boatlife Life Calk is a polysulfide sealant.

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Shauneen
1st Mate

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USA
27 Posts

Response Posted - 09/01/2011 : 19:53:17

Thank you all so much. Our current mast step is bolted to the deck so with the addition of a sealent I think it should work. Has anyone else had to deal with this? (or is anyone else parting out a mast for a Standard Rig)
As always Thank You!
Shauneen

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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.