Mast Footing Fitting

[Ozzie]

Guessing here Luke but one poster had the vang attachment point on the mast step crack and used a saddle instead from memory. That may have been the case here until the previous owner cracked the mast base as well and replaced the whole thing.

[Peter T]

Luke, larger rudder could explain what I was saying. I would set it up where it is supposed to be and only make any changes if you have an issue. If you do, feel free to contact me and I can help you with it with the least modification if it is needed. But try it first. I like the idea of the larger rudder. Would love to see a side on photo of it as I will be changing mine also. I might be completely wrong and the mast may never have been moved forward at all. Cheers

[Geoff]

Luke,

I have just checked both boats. There is nothing to photograph. Nothing comes into the cabin. Just unblemished ceiling.

[Watto]

Geoff,

Would that mean both are secured using screws?

[Geoff]

Hi Luke,

I am assuming so. Hopefully someone can chime in who has actually pulled the step off at some stage.

[Peter T]

Yes I am sure that right chaps

[Watto]

Did a measure today and the front two screws could be easily changed to nuts & bolts through to the cabin. The rear two are mighty close to the dividing wall.

Maybe a combo of bolts and screws would go alright. Currently screws measure in at just under 40mm so there’s plenty of wood to be able to increase their size.

[Raya]

Forces on the mast foot are vertically downwards with little lateral force. Kevin Shephard knew what he was doing when he stipulated screws.

[Andrew]

Hi Luke,

I am assuming so. Hopefully someone can chime in who has actually pulled the step off at some stage.

Better late than never, I've just removed and refitted my mast step/foot fitting (mast tabernacle).

Lukes bolting-through questions remained unanswered. My mast step was through bolted by previous owner (never knew they were screwed into wood block inside fibreglass base). I ended up re-using the bolts. The forward bolts have to have countersunk heads, as the raised mast base sits on these. The aft bolts have hex heads, which can be raised above mast step (but yet to try with actual mast up).

Have attached 2 pics of my setup. Luke was worried where these bolt hole come through inside (don't worry, the bolt holes missed the mast support arch) The mast step is in the forward-most position. Also my mast step base is 4mm thicker than standard (alloy base plate welded on to repair)

I re-used the bolts because it was very hard to find long enough (100mm) 316 stainless countersunk bolts in M6 (regional area). "Bolt Masters" did have M8 size 100mm countersunk, but that's massive overkill). (I found some 304 stainless 10cm security bolts at B's..but only 304 ss, not saltwater use, and funny ends on them..)

The funny yellow paint on the step is "DURALAC", a MUST for joining dissimilar metals, 316 ss bolts to Aluminium alloy step. (filled up all the cracks in step with duralac, looks messy but will last longer.)

[Ozzie]

Good post Andrew!

Just to reiterate a warning on Duralac from previous posts

“Just a WARNING re Duralac. I was advised by Bob Keely that it’s important to use it even between aluminium to aluminium let alone dissimilar metals and it is good gear to prevent the issues I’ve just encountered but as I’ve mentioned before it is HIGHLY CARCINOGENIC and even the dude at the boat shop when I bought it said to wear good chemical resistant gloves when you use it. After application I left everything to dry for a day, even the tools I’d gotten it on . Just sayin’ .”