Yep, been there, done that and got the T shirt. First time I noted the
problem was when attending my first Owners meeting Rob Mazza asked the
assembled owners how many had replaced the mast step and six or eight
hands went up. OMG wots this? Second time on Saturday Morning before
heading out to the YYC Level regatta we couldn't get the rig to tune.
Damn mast step collapsed so the racing crew hunkered the mast up and we
unscrewed the block and ran off to Scotty our shipwright in the yard and
of course he had a block of oak in inventory for just such an occasion.
He and our ship's carpenter (and mainsail trimmer by avocation) slipped
in the new block and screwed it in place. It was then we observed that
he drilled a limber hole in the block under the mast and swaged in a
stainless drain pipe with the end knurled over to drain the stuff that
comes down the mast. (Lesson #1). Whole procedure took 45 minutes and
we converted a DNS to a late start and DNF for the first race. That was
1990 and we have since replaced it again, this time soaking the block
for months in preservation chemicals. (Lesson #2)
The real problem comes when the stringers under the block collapse due
to the fact that they are not encased in fiberglass on the bottom. Then
you have to cut out the cabin sole and re glass in new stringers (and
upgrade the sole to a nicer teak and holley deck). That project would
be above my paygrade and I would have some of the C&C alumni in the club
tackle that. I have seen it done once in our yard. Meantime make damn
sure the bilge stays dry and fit a garboard plug to keep that way while
up on the cradle for the winter. (Lesson #3)
It's no big deal and we have had discussions about casting an aluminum
pillow block but its just easier and faster to fit a new oak block.
Doug Robinson
On 8/31/20 1:41 PM, Lee Goss via CnC-List wrote:
Dear C&C List members,
I have a C&C29 MK1 and over the weekend the mast step failed and the
mast sank about 4 or 5 inches!
We suspect this is due to the mast step block having rotten away. But
we won't know for sure until the mast is removed on Saturday.
We're hoping to fix the issue well enough to enjoy the remainder of
the season on Lake Michigan. Does anyone have any advice on the best
way to do this?
Furthermore, if anyone has photos of the process of replacing the mast
step or dimensions for the block of wood etc we'd really appreciate
it. At this point in time, we've never seen the mast step and don't
know precisely what we're going to need to make the repair.
For reference: here's photos of the damage:
https://photos.app.goo.gl/u9GBQpsTzUWkmrhZA
Many thanks in advance for any help.
Lee
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_______________________________________________
Thanks everyone for supporting this list with your contributions. Each and
every one is greatly appreciated. If you want to support the list - use PayPal
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