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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

Catalina 250 Specific Forum

Removing mast step

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makuskie@hotmail.com
Deckhand

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USA
4 Posts

Initially Posted - 05/08/2013 : 05:15:40

I'm running lines back to the cockpit and need to remove the mast step to put either a new mast step on or add a plat under the current one. I removed the 4 bolts, broke the seal but when we tried to remove the step it proved to be rather difficult. I need to know what to do next without causing myself more issues. How can I easily break the seal?

Mark Kuskie

Edited by - on

TakeFive
Master Marine Consultant

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2272 Posts

Response Posted - 05/08/2013 : 05:41:43

Lots of advice avaialable if you use the search function. This one will get you started:

http://www.catalina-capri-25s.com/forum/topic.asp?ARCHIVE=true&TOPIC_ID=16801

Edited by - on

John Russell
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3444 Posts

Response Posted - 05/08/2013 : 08:11:35

Welcome to the party! Feel free to ask as many questions as you'd like. Rick's right though, we have a great library of information archived here as well.

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GaryB
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4306 Posts

Response Posted - 05/08/2013 : 17:36:24

Isn't the mast step on the C250 welded to the compression post and removed as one piece out the top of the opening? You would have to unbolt the compression post at the bottom to get the assembly out.

Edited by - on

makuskie@hotmail.com
Deckhand

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USA
4 Posts

Response Posted - 05/08/2013 : 18:38:09

That's what we were worried about but didn't know. I had an older 25 and all I had to do was remove the bolts to remove the mast step. Thanks for the response, now all I have to do is figure out how to unbolt the compression post. Thanks again

Edited by - on

TakeFive
Master Marine Consultant

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2272 Posts

Response Posted - 05/08/2013 : 18:53:00

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by GaryB
 Isn't the mast step on the C250 welded to the compression post and removed as one piece out the top of the opening? You would have to unbolt the compression post at the bottom to get the assembly out.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by makuskie@hotmail.com
 That's what we were worried about but didn't know...Thanks for the response, now all I have to do is figure out how to unbolt the compression post...<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
From everything I've seen, there is nothing to unbolt at the bottom of the compression post. There's a bottom sleeve that bolts to the floor, but the post lifts off it without taking out the bolts. The only bolts to remove are the ones on the cabin top.

As for loosening the step, I think delliotg torqued the top plate with a 2x4.

This is all covered in the link that I gave. I haven't actually done this, but most of the guys who posted there are still here, so look at what they said and post follow-up questions.

Edited by - on

Tom Potter
Master Marine Consultant

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1913 Posts

Response Posted - 05/08/2013 : 18:56:14

Mark, when I removed the mast step from my old 97 250, there were no bolts at the bottom of the compression post. The only bolts were where it bolted to the cabin top. Lots of 4200 made it tough to break loose. You might have to twist it as you lift to break the seal. I recall it being a bear to get out, I had to twist and lift at the same time. A helper below lifting on the post too should help.

Edited by - Tom Potter on 05/08/2013 19:18:16

delliottg
Former Mainsheet C250 Tech Editor

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USA
4479 Posts

Response Posted - 05/08/2013 : 19:38:27

Yep, the compression post is only held on by the four bolts in the top. It's sleeved into the base plate on the cabin floor. It's held in place by 4200, so you'll need to break it loose. Like Rick said, I had to use a 2x4 about 2-1/2' long with fairly gentle slow pressure. Once it rotates, it's a whole lot easier if you have someone in the cabin pushing up while you're pulling from the top. Once it comes free of the 4200, you have a lot of scraping ahead of you.

Edited by - on

makuskie@hotmail.com
Deckhand

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USA
4 Posts

Response Posted - 05/10/2013 : 03:46:27

With all of your information I was able to remove the mast step. It really wasn't that tough ounce I knew what I could do. A 2X4 was the key. Thanks.

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mowrangler
1st Mate

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USA
66 Posts

Response Posted - 05/20/2013 : 13:17:45

Thanks for this and the other post... I've been thinking about tackling the same project. Questions for those of you who have added a plate for mounting blocks - what part did you use and where did you get it? I haven't had much luck finding the part number yet...

Thanks!

UPDATE - I zoomed into the pictures on the original post and it appears that his plate is integrated into the step/post component. This would probably explain why I can't seem to find an aftermarket part for just the step plate. However, if the original poster happened to find a part for just a plate I'd still love to hear about it! :)

Edited by - mowrangler on 05/20/2013 13:26:56

delliottg
Former Mainsheet C250 Tech Editor

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USA
4479 Posts

Response Posted - 05/20/2013 : 14:38:27

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by makuskie@hotmail.com
 With all of your information I was able to remove the mast step. It really wasn't that tough ounce I knew what I could do. A 2X4 was the key. Thanks.<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Glad we could be of help. Most projects on our boats are a lot less daunting because of the advice you can find on here. Some great people blazed the way for those of us following them, and fortunately a good quantity of them are still around listening in, even if they no longer own a C-25/250/Capri 25.

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">UPDATE - I zoomed into the pictures on the original post and it appears that his plate is integrated into the step/post component. This would probably explain why I can't seem to find an aftermarket part for just the step plate. However, if the original poster happened to find a part for just a plate I'd still love to hear about it! :)<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Our boat came with the plate, and I'm trying to remember if it was a single piece as you indicate, or if it was two plates stacked on top of each other & bolted together. It seems like it was a single piece, but I'll look at some pictures tonight and see if I can figure it out.

Edited by - on

makuskie@hotmail.com
Deckhand

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USA
4 Posts

Response Posted - 05/21/2013 : 03:01:28

I had ordered a plate from Catalina Direct thinking it was the correct one. I ended up having the block attachment areas cut from the plate and them welded directly to the step. It's worked out really well and looks great.

Edited by - on

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