Filling mast holes- CD28

[Bill]

I may have some small holes at the top of the mast due to removing the wind speed cups. What would be the best way to fill them and with what? The mast is not yet stepped. Appreciate any procedure that has worked well. Not sure yet how large the holes will be. Thanks, Bill



meislandbill@yahoo.com

[John R.]

I may have some small holes at the top of the mast due to removing the wind speed cups. What would be the best way to fill them and with what? The mast is not yet stepped. Appreciate any procedure that has worked well. Not sure yet how large the holes will be. Thanks, Bill

You say small holes so I assume we are talking a #10 fastener or smaller. I tried and true method of filling holes is the use of aluminum rivets with stainless pins (use a magnet on the pin to make certain they are not steel).

A second choice alternative would be to use stainless machine screws. Tap the hole with threads and then use marine grade never seize on the screw threads and under the screw head.

[Larry DeMers]

How about just filling with a dab of epoxy? Seems like the least trouble, considering you will be working at the mast head (unless she is unstepped of course..). The different coefficients of expansion will make the epoxy choice important. I would opt for a more resillient epoxy, rather than a brittle one. This sounds odd I know..but I have run into both types several times. Usually the 5 minute epoxy tends to be a more brittle epoxy, while West Epoxy seems to be a bit more accepting in surface movements. Maybe this is only perception, since I have never experienced an epoxy bond failing, yet.

Cheers,

Larry DeMers
s/v DeLaMer
Cape Dory 30
Superior

I may have some small holes at the top of the mast due to removing the wind speed cups. What would be the best way to fill them and with what? The mast is not yet stepped. Appreciate any procedure that has worked well. Not sure yet how large the holes will be. Thanks, Bill

demers@sgi.com

[Matthew]

I may have some small holes at the top of the mast due to removing the wind speed cups. What would be the best way to fill them and with what? The mast is not yet stepped. Appreciate any procedure that has worked well. Not sure yet how large the holes will be. Thanks, Bill

I agree with using aluminum rivets - same metal nobility. If you must tap and thread for stainless machine screws, use one of the various corrosive preventing lubricants. This not only makes it possible/easier to unscrew later should you choose, but also protects the strength of the mast. If the holes require a filler (ie. they are irregular/damaged, ect) then the epoxy filler is a good idea. They can be purchased with aluminum content. I have had to resort to this solution and it has worked well over the last 4 years. The only thing not to use are stainless or any other kind of machine screws. Since they are way up at the masthead the sharp points may not matter, but their use is a poor habit and they invariably seize over time. Good luck.



matkinson54@hotmail.com