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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

General Sailing Forum

MAST STEP

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Sid
Navigator

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129 Posts

Initially Posted - 09/18/2003 : 17:31:52

My '77 has a hinged mast step, no longer in production. I have a new stainless step from CD but my mast doesn't have the hole required for the bolt. I am assuming that I can drill the hole. Does anyone have the size and dimensions for the location of the hole. Also, what size, length should the bolt be.
Thanks,
Sid

P.S. Buzz, you're going to be livid. I got the slip.

77 C25 SK #21

Edited by - on

Buzz Maring
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1768 Posts

Response Posted - 09/18/2003 : 18:44:06

P.S. Buzz, you're going to be livid. I got the slip. - Sid

WOW! How lucky!

Sid - I am about to put my mast back up again. If you would like to take a look at how it attaches to the mast tabernacle, come by and take a look. If you're not going to be around this weekend, I could take a photo for you and email it to you.

BTW, as I recall, it isn't a single hole ... it is a slot. NO ... come to think of it, the slot is in the tabernacle ... <img src=icon_smile_question.gif border=0 align=middle>

Let me know ... 'later ... Buzz

Buzz Maring
<img src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b3df23b3127cce9306a9b3abad0000001010" border=0>
~~Freya~~
C-25 SK/SR #68

Edited by - buzz maring on 09/18/2003 18:51:29

Edited by - on

svmoxie
Past Commodore

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331 Posts

Response Posted - 09/19/2003 : 09:27:16

Sid,

It is a 4" long 3/8 - 16 SS HHMB* with 2 flat washers, 1 lock washer and a wing nut. The distance up from the bottom of the mast is equal to half of the height of the slot in the mast step... maybe 3 inches, I am guessing. Measure the distance when you have both pieces, mark the mast and then look at it to be sure that it will work.

Good Luck

* (Stainless Steel Hex Head Machine Bolt)

Clif Thompson
Treasurer C-25/250 National Association.
svMoxie '81 25 sk

Edited by - on

Champipple
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
6855 Posts

Response Posted - 09/19/2003 : 13:36:12

<BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>quote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote>
Sid,

It is a 4" long 3/8 - 16 SS HHMB* with 2 flat washers, 1 lock washer and a wing nut. The distance up from the bottom of the mast is equal to half of the height of the slot in the mast step... maybe 3 inches, I am guessing. Measure the distance when you have both pieces, mark the mast and then look at it to be sure that it will work.

<hr height=1 noshade id=quote></BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>

Wing Nut? I know the load on that is all downward, but I still would have never thought Frank would have used a wing nut there. (ours was obviously changed. because we had a regular nut with locking washers and all the extras.)

It was switched out to a nyland(sp?) locking nut and had a hole drilled through the bolt. We ran a cotter ring through that.....

D. Wolff - "The Flying Wasp" #401 sr/sk
Chief Measurer C-25/250 National Assn.
<img src="http://www.flags.com/images/layout/category_images/t_3964.jpg" border=0>

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svmoxie
Past Commodore

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USA
331 Posts

Response Posted - 09/19/2003 : 16:26:07

Yep, That model had a wing nut. As long as you use a lock washer a wing nut makes removal a little easier. Certainly a nylon lock nut would be fine, you would just need a second wrench to remove it. <BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>quote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote>We ran a cotter ring through that..... <hr height=1 noshade id=quote></BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>

Boy, talk about wearing a belt and suspenders!<img src=icon_smile_wink.gif border=0 align=middle>

Seriously I have never had the wing nut loosen at all but if I was buying a new bolt I would follow Duane and get a lock nut.

<img src="http://www.catalina25-250.org/manbro/pictures/pc16.gif" border=0>

Clif Thompson
Treasurer C-25/250 National Association.
svMoxie '81 25 sk

Edited by - on

Buzz Maring
Master Marine Consultant

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1768 Posts

Response Posted - 09/19/2003 : 17:26:05

Hi Sid,

I went to the boat today to do a little work ...'thought I'd take some measurements and a photo of the bottom of the mast to give you a better idea of how to drill the hole.

The hole on my mast is 1 inch up from the bottom of the mast. The hole itself is centered laterally on the mast, and it is just slightly less than 1/2 inch in diameter ... I'd say it's about 7/16 inch. Here is what it looks like:

<img src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b3d738b3127cce8ee1140ddc0b0000001610" border=0>

'Hope that helps. BTW, will you be at the lake this weekend? If so, feel free to come to our yacht club party as my guest ... it was rescheduled from last Saturday to tomorrow ... 'starts at 6:00 pm.

Good luck with your mast project ... let us know if you've got any more questions.

Buzz Maring
<img src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b3df23b3127cce9306a9b3abad0000001010" border=0>
~~Freya~~
C-25 SK/SR #68

Edited by - on

Frank Hopper
Past Commodore

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Pitcairn Island
6776 Posts

Response Posted - 09/19/2003 : 23:40:45

<img src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b3d738b3127cce8ee1140ddc0b0000001610" border=0>

Buz, dude, you really need to stop beating the bottom of your mast with a hammer.<img src=icon_smile.gif border=0 align=middle>

<img src="http://members.cox.net/fhopper/Catalina25/sigbow.jpg" border=0>Frank and Martha in Wichita KS. Lake Cheney

Edited by - on

Sid
Navigator

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129 Posts

Response Posted - 09/22/2003 : 11:14:32

Sorry I couldn't make it to the lake this w/e. I had a funeral to attend on Friday and then work on Saturday.
Thanks for the measurements. I'll drill for the new mast step this week. I also have to drill a hole in the tabernacle for the wiring. I hope to have her in the slip for the Columbus Day weekend. I want to complete a few projects while the boat is in the yard vs toting supplies to the dock (and dropping them over the side<img src=icon_smile_sad.gif border=0 align=middle>). Should I bed the tabernacle with 5200 or something else?
Thanks,
Sid

77 C25 SK #21

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Dave Bristle
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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 09/22/2003 : 11:56:40

About the only thing I'd use 5200 for is to bed the keel to the bottom of the boat. It doesn't seal better than polysulfide or 4200--it just makes you wreck some gelcoat if you ever need to take it apart. You don't need heavy-duty adhesive there--just caulk. The bolts keep in in place.

Dave Bristle - 1985 C-25 #5032 SR-FK-Dinette-Honda "Passage" in SW CT

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Sid
Navigator

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129 Posts

Response Posted - 09/23/2003 : 10:10:45

So what should I use on my stanchions, cleats, windows, etc.? 5200, 4000, lifeboat caulk? Or just a polysulfide caulk?
Thanks,
Sid

77 C25 SK #21

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svmoxie
Past Commodore

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USA
331 Posts

Response Posted - 09/23/2003 : 10:42:00

Sid,

As a general rule, use a one part polysulfide (4200, Life Caulk, etc.) to seal all items like ports, stanchions, cleats, etc. What you want to avoid is using a polyurethane (5200) sealant on these items because of the enormous adhesive strength it has. Also avoid using silicone as it only lasts 1/4 as long as other sealants and is more susceptible to UV and water damage.

When you are remounting harware, don't tighten it all the way down. Just enough for the sealant to start to push out and then wait a day or two to allow it to cure then you can tighten it down and trim off the excess sealant. Blue or green painter tape around the item will help with the clen up as well.

If you don't have copy, "This Old Boat" by Don Casey is an excellent resource manual for maintenance and upgrading your boat.

Clif Thompson
Treasurer C-25/250 National Association.
svMoxie '81 25 sk

Edited by - on

Happy D
Admiral

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921 Posts

Response Posted - 09/28/2003 : 13:30:54

How do you step the mast without the bottom of the mast getting caught on the hold down bolts for the tabernacle?

<BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>quote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote>

<img src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b3d738b3127cce8ee1140ddc0b0000001610" border=0>

Buz, dude, you really need to stop beating the bottom of your mast with a hammer.<img src=icon_smile.gif border=0 align=middle>

<img src="http://members.cox.net/fhopper/Catalina25/sigbow.jpg" border=0>Frank and Martha in Wichita KS. Lake Cheney
<hr height=1 noshade id=quote></BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>

Dan 1977 sk/sr #29
Major Project Boat

Edited by - on

deastburn
Captain

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334 Posts

Response Posted - 10/01/2003 : 12:31:26

When I am using 4200 or LifeCaulk, if I have the time I like to apply it, to both surfaces to be mated if applicable, and then let it skin over for a couple hours before setting the part into the sealant. It makes for a bit cleaner job, and a flawlessly sealed joint.

Dave on "Wood Duck" (#2616 - SR, FK)

Edited by - on

Buzz Maring
Master Marine Consultant

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1768 Posts

Response Posted - 10/01/2003 : 21:04:56

<BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>quote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote>
How do you step the mast without the bottom of the mast getting caught on the hold down bolts for the tabernacle?

Dan 1977 sk/sr #29
Major Project Boat
<hr height=1 noshade id=quote></BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>

Hi Dan,

I was hoping someone would address your problem ... I don't have any trouble with mine because my mast tabernacle is screwed to the cabin top ... the heads of the screws are countersunk and flush with the surface of the mast tabernacle, so there's nothing for the mast to catch on.

Have you already stepped your mast and had a problem with the mast catching on the heads of the bolts? Or are you just wondering if they might catch when you step your mast for the first time?

It seems to me that the slot in the tabernacle should give you enough "play" with the bottom of the mast so that it won't get hung up on the heads of the bolts. If the mast does hang on the bolt heads, maybe you could file a couple of small channels in the bottom of the mast so that it will slip over the heads of the bolts ... it doesn't seem to me that a couple of small openings would weaken the mast, but I'm just guessing.

Hopefully someone will let you know how they solved this ... good luck!

Buzz Maring
<img src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b3df23b3127cce9306a9b3abad0000001010" border=0>
~~Freya~~
C-25 SK/SR #68

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Happy D
Admiral

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921 Posts

Response Posted - 10/04/2003 : 08:53:40

Thanks for the reply Buzz. The boat is in the back yard, all disassembled by the po. I haven't went out and uncovered it in a few months and could not remember how the tabernacle was bolted down. Flat head screws makes perfect sense.
Sorry for the stupid question.
Dan

Dan 1977 sk/sr #29
Major Project Boat

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Buzz Maring
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1768 Posts

Response Posted - 10/04/2003 : 10:36:02

<BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>quote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote>
Thanks for the reply Buzz. The boat is in the back yard, all disassembled by the po. I haven't went out and uncovered it in a few months and could not remember how the tabernacle was bolted down. Flat head screws makes perfect sense.
Sorry for the stupid question.
Dan

Dan 1977 sk/sr #29
Major Project Boat
<hr height=1 noshade id=quote></BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>

Hi Dan,

Believe me, there are no stupid questions ... and one of the best things about this Forum is that we don't have any "know-it-alls" who are ever going to make someone feel like they've asked a stupid question.

There ARE people who've changed out the flathead screws for through-bolts ... I almost did it myself. So, you might go out and look at your mast tabernacle and find out that you DO have bolt heads that might get in the way ... if you do, let us know.

In the mean time, please feel free to join in the fray here as you work on your boat to get her fixed up. Believe me, we all learn from each other ... I've gotten valuable tips from people who are brand new to sailing ... you don't need to be an "old salt" to make a worthwhile contribution.

Keep us posted on your boat ... you and Sid and I have three of the oldest boats in the Association ... we need each other! Good luck!

Buzz Maring
<img src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b3df23b3127cce9306a9b3abad0000001010" border=0>
~~Freya~~
C-25 SK/SR #68

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