I agree with Dwight, that you will save time, frustration and probably money with the mast off of the boat. It sounds like a big deal, but it is usually a relatively cheap and simple maneuver and provides you a great opportunity to work on the mast, rigging, lighting etc. while out of the boat. I assume we are talking about a deck mounted mast with a compression post from the keel up to the deck. Otherwise I don’t understand why it would be putting pressure down on the deck. I haven’t owned or worked on a boat with a deck stepped mast for a really long time, but I would be nervous about the attempted jack up of the mast with the rig up and then having enough room to work where you need to . With a keel based mast I have seen enough corrosion that it effected the box and the mast. On my Ericsson 36C, I shaved 2-3” of the mast base and replaced the loss with brand new welded aluminum higher base. Rigging all remained the same. The mast rested snugly on a welded dome. The deck rigging pulled the mast down to the base. Nothing really held the mast in the base but the downward pull of the deck rigging. In the end it was aluminum against aluminum with no thru bolts. You will probably have the same decision to make regarding any corrosion to the mast bottom\compression post when you see the whole picture. The base or the compression post would be the easiest and cheapest spot to correct for any loss. You obviously have some loss somewhere and I would guess it is in the bilge. Having the mast out lets you trim it as needed, clean it up and repaint it like new.
Best of luck, Rick “PAIKEA” 37+ Tacoma, WA > On Jan 16, 2017, at 3:14 PM, dwight veinot via CnC-List > <cnc-list@cnc-list.com> wrote: > > Good luck Steve...I think it would be a much easier fix with the mast out > Dwight Veinot > C&C 35 MKII, Alianna > Head of St. Margaret's Bay, NS > d.ve...@bellaliant.net > > > > On Mon, Jan 9, 2017 at 1:17 PM, Steve Thomas via CnC-List > <cnc-list@cnc-list.com> wrote: >> >> Whatever is supporting the mast step on my 1980 C&C36 project boat has sunk >> by 1/2 to 1.0 inch, and the mast is pulling down on the cabin top. There is >> no visible sign of rot in the wood and fibreglass cross members at either >> end, and I am planning to attempt to put an aluminum plate shim underneath. >> The step box is constructed of anodized aluminum about a half an inch thick, >> and the bottom plate extends forward forming a shelf through which 2 bolts >> or lag screws hold it in place. There are no other visible mechanical >> fasteners. >> Judging from all the talk over the years about mast steps, I am guessing >> that someone on the list has removed a similar box on a similar if not >> identical boat. What did you find? Were there other fasteners? Was the >> fibreglass holding it down? Any issues getting it loose? What is underneath >> that not obvious? >> I am hoping to do this without unstepping the mast, but just jacking it up a >> bit. >> >> Thanks, >> Steve Thomas >> C&C 36 >> Merritt Island, FL >> >> >> _______________________________________________ >> >> This list is supported by the generous donations of our members. If you wish >> to make a contribution to offset our costs, please go to: >> https://www.paypal.me/stumurray >> >> All Contributions are greatly appreciated! > > _______________________________________________ > > This list is supported by the generous donations of our members. If you wish > to make a contribution to offset our costs, please go to: > https://www.paypal.me/stumurray > > All Contributions are greatly appreciated! _______________________________________________ This list is supported by the generous donations of our members. If you wish to make a contribution to offset our costs, please go to: https://www.paypal.me/stumurray All Contributions are greatly appreciated!
