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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

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Do I need to seal my block baseplate?

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Sam Cyphers
1st Mate

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USA
29 Posts

Initially Posted - 08/08/2012 : 17:45:09

Hi guys,

Hoping somebody can offer some advice on this question. On both port and starboard sides of my mast I have blocks which handle the jib and main halyard loads which individually run back to the cockpit on either side. The blocks are Ronstan RF 1276 (picture below), and in my opinion the most horribly engineered blocks on planet earth. The block, spring, and baseplate are all one unit that has been riveted together. No single element of the set up can be disconnected from one another. There lies my problem. The sheaves of the block are completely trashed and are now jamming up my halyard lines when I raise or lower sails. Oddly enough I took the below picture perfectly and you cant see how bad the sheaves have deteriorated, but its really bad.

My questions are:

1. I have found a baseplate with the same dimensions, can I pop off the old one and attach the new one without resealing everything? I could use the existing screws.

2. Or, is there a fast way to reseal without going through the drill/epoxy fill/dry/re-drill/attach method?

3. I have no drill, no epoxy, no resealing experience, and frankly, the process sounds like a bitch. Am I just being a wuss and its really easy or is this something everyone avoids until necessary?

4. Can the forum manager develop an easier way to attache pictures. Jesus! I hope I got it right.

Edited by - on

dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 08/08/2012 : 18:19:25

I had a similar situation. I simply cut the block from the mount then put a different block on.

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awetmore
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1144 Posts

Response Posted - 08/09/2012 : 08:24:52

The process isn't that bad. At some point during your boat ownership you are going to need to reseal other deck hardware, so learning how to do it properly is a good idea.

If you have any other excuses to lower the mast this would be a good time to install a mast base plate. It gives you many options for routing the halyard (and other) control lines and replacing blocks no longer depends on drilling and sealing holes. Catalina Direct sells a nice base plate.

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Sam Cyphers
1st Mate

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USA
29 Posts

Response Posted - 08/09/2012 : 09:57:27

Dlucier, what did you use to cut through the block? Just a bolt cutter?

awetmore, I agree, though, I forgot to mention I am under a time crunch as my dad will be in town soon for a sail trip and I want to find a quick solution instead of being out of commission for a couple weekends when I inevitably screw up the sealing process.

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dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 08/09/2012 : 10:44:34

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Sam Cyphers
 Dlucier, what did you use to cut through the block? Just a bolt cutter? <hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Sam,

I used a Dremel with a cutting wheel.

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Sam Cyphers
 I forgot to mention I am under a time crunch as my dad will be in town soon for a sail trip and I want to find a quick solution instead of being out of commission for a couple weekends when I inevitably screw up the sealing process.<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Is raising your sails at the mast a possibility? If so, you could do this until you have the time to make repairs.

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Dave5041
Former Mainsheet Editor

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USA
3758 Posts

Response Posted - 08/09/2012 : 14:35:09

You don't need to do the over-drill/epoxy/re-drill if you are using the same holes and they were properly done. A thorough cleaning and new bedding is all that is required. Your core is already protected, leak prevention is all you want. If it wasn't done properly before, the biggest problem with not doing it right is that it is easy to put off going back to correct it later.

Edited by - Dave5041 on 08/09/2012 14:41:28

awetmore
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1144 Posts

Response Posted - 08/09/2012 : 14:52:07

Has anyone run into holes that were properly done? All of the Catalina factory holes (like the ones for the handrails) left exposed wood core on my boat. From reading the forums my impression is that they are all that way.

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Dave5041
Former Mainsheet Editor

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USA
3758 Posts

Response Posted - 08/09/2012 : 15:48:13

I would agree that it probably wasn't done properly if it was a factory installation. Drill, swab with silicone caulk and move on was the factory manta.

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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.