I removed the mast flange on my CD33 this weekend in order to rebed it and generally make the whole mast water tight where it passes through the cabin roof/deck (keel-stepped mast). The project went well and all is now water-tight but I ran into a situation that I'm not sure about. In order to free up the flange so that it could be removed for re-bedding I first had to remove all those wooden wedges that are packed around the mast (mast partners). I also had to remove a steel pin that passed through holes drilled in the flange and the mast. The pin passes straight through the middle of the mast and is received by holes in the port and starboard sides of the flange. Cotter pins secure the pin in place. When I drove the pin out the mast actually dropped about 1/8 inch! I was surprised because with a keel-stepped mast I assumed the weight of the mast, etc. would be fully supported at the keel. Apparently some of the weight was actually supported by the deck by way of that steel pin. Now of course I can't lift the mast back up to reinstall the pin. I'm thinking that it may not matter if the pin is in place or not. After all, the weight of the mast is now resting on the keel where it should be and the rigging and mast partners will hold the mast securely in place. Does anybody know the purpose of that pin and whether or not it has to be in place? Also, where can I get new wooden wedges for the partners? I suppose I can make some. Any special wood to use?
rturnertec@aol.com
Mast flange and wooden wedges
Moderator: Jim Walsh
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Matt Cawthorne
Re: Mast flange and wooden wedges
Ryan,
That pin helps maintain the geometry of the deck relative to the rest of the boat. As you load or unload the rigging you can change the position of the deck relative to the keel. In fact without that pin you will probably notice a change when you haul the boat. If that area is moving you will not be able to keep the wedges in place or keep the mast sealed at the partner. You might also expect extra gelcoat cracks. You should get the pin in place. I'll bet that you can lift the mast. Here's how. Loosen the rigging. Wrap a rolling hitch around a convenient point on the mast. Attach the line to a 2x4 and rest the 2x4 on a fulcrum of some sort. I would recommend some wooden blocks. Make the fulcrum close to the mast and keep the rope length short. With this mechanical advantage you can lift the mast. I have a friend who did a similar job using some turning blocks and one of his primary winches. Have an assistant put the pin in place.
My old wedges were rotten so I replaced them with teak. It is kind of overkill.
good luck,
Matt
mcawthor@bellatlantic.net
That pin helps maintain the geometry of the deck relative to the rest of the boat. As you load or unload the rigging you can change the position of the deck relative to the keel. In fact without that pin you will probably notice a change when you haul the boat. If that area is moving you will not be able to keep the wedges in place or keep the mast sealed at the partner. You might also expect extra gelcoat cracks. You should get the pin in place. I'll bet that you can lift the mast. Here's how. Loosen the rigging. Wrap a rolling hitch around a convenient point on the mast. Attach the line to a 2x4 and rest the 2x4 on a fulcrum of some sort. I would recommend some wooden blocks. Make the fulcrum close to the mast and keep the rope length short. With this mechanical advantage you can lift the mast. I have a friend who did a similar job using some turning blocks and one of his primary winches. Have an assistant put the pin in place.
My old wedges were rotten so I replaced them with teak. It is kind of overkill.
good luck,
Matt
mcawthor@bellatlantic.net
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Dennis Ward
Re: Mast flange and wooden wedges
Ryan,Matt Cawthorne wrote: Ryan,
That pin helps maintain the geometry of the deck relative to the rest of the boat. As you load or unload the rigging you can change the position of the deck relative to the keel. In fact without that pin you will probably notice a change when you haul the boat. If that area is moving you will not be able to keep the wedges in place or keep the mast sealed at the partner. You might also expect extra gelcoat cracks. You should get the pin in place. I'll bet that you can lift the mast. Here's how. Loosen the rigging. Wrap a rolling hitch around a convenient point on the mast. Attach the line to a 2x4 and rest the 2x4 on a fulcrum of some sort. I would recommend some wooden blocks. Make the fulcrum close to the mast and keep the rope length short. With this mechanical advantage you can lift the mast. I have a friend who did a similar job using some turning blocks and one of his primary winches. Have an assistant put the pin in place.
My old wedges were rotten so I replaced them with teak. It is kind of overkill.
good luck,
Matt
My CD33 has never had the hole drilled or pin installed. As far as I can tell this is not a problem. I understand that the pin is only required if you attach turning blocks to the deck to run halyards, etc. to the cockpit. Dennis Ward CD33 #41 WindWard Grace
DWard34@aol.com