[alberg30] Remove step plate

[alberg30]

From: "alberg30" <alberg30 at interactive.net>

Guy: I recall that there was some sort old core in the mast-step pad. I
think it was balsa or something. I am fairly sure that it was not all
glass, since the original holes for the mast-step plate were where the
water leaked in and the whole problem started. There also did not appear to
be any sort of glass layer between the pad and the  deck at the mast-step
area.

I have decided to replace the pad with a 1/2 thick piece of oak hardwood
bought at Home Depot. I have not embedded it yet, but have been working to
get the proper camber and ensuring the pad area is level on all four
points. I plan to drop a bunch of thickened resin at the pad area, then lay
the wood pad on then cover it in glass. Mind you the deck is already
completely glassed over by itself.

Then, after glassing in the pad, I am going to drill little "wells" in
which my plate, complete with the seized bolts, will fit. I will fill the
holes with resin and then glass the bottom of the plate to the deck.

At least thats my plan. I am still debating it actually while I wait for a
weather window. 

What does everyone else think?
I fell certain I will ruin the plate trying to get the bolts unseized. And
without the bolts actually screwing into anything in the deck, what good
are they but to keep the mast from walking away( see earlier post re: mast
step)?

Please, before I make another painful boat blunder, someone give me some
ideas.

Thanks

Joe #499
"One Less Traveled"
----------
> From: Guy Lalonde <lalondegc at videotron.ca>
> To: alberg30 at onelist.com
> Subject: Re: [alberg30] Remove step plate
> Date: Sunday, November 21, 1999 6:12 PM
> 
> From: Guy Lalonde <lalondegc at videotron.ca>
> 
> Joe, Tom, Greg,
> 
> thanks for your advice. Finally got the plate off, with patience and
prying
> it off slo-o-o-o-wly one small area at a time. If that had not worked my
> next step would have been to use heat. There was some kind of bedding
> compound underneath which is probably why it was so difficult.
> 
> In the Maintenance Manual, (Scott Maury, "Bill of Rights #487", Mast Step
> Repair) it is said that the mound on which the mast step sits on is made
of
> plywood and glass. Mine is pure glass, somewhere around 1/2, maybe even
3/4
> inch thick, then the balsa core then the lower glass skin.
> 
> What did you guys, or anybody else who has done this repair, find under
the
> mound ? Would it be better to rebuild with or without a piece of plywood
?
> 
> Guy.
> Cyrena #466
> 
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: SutherlandT <sutherlandt at prodigy.net>
> To: <alberg30 at onelist.com>
> Sent: Sunday, November 21, 1999 12:54 PM
> Subject: Re: [alberg30] Remove step plate
> 
> 
> > From: SutherlandT <sutherlandt at prodigy.net>
> >
> > Guy ... When I removed my mast step plate I did not meet as much
> > resistance as you and joe. When I got the screws removed ( using an
> > impact driver, solvent , and patients ) the plate itself came off
pretty
> > easily. In your case  someone before you has likely sealed the plate
> > down with either epoxy or polyurethane. In either event it may help to
> > apply a little "heat" to the plate. I would play a propane torch
> > carefully on top of the plate to achieve this. It is my understanding
> > that polyurethane (3M 5200)  can be softened with heat. You might also
> > heat a thin bladed putty knife and try and work it under the plate at
> > the same time.
> >
> > I think the important thing is to be patient and not  rush anything.
> >
> > Tom S
> > A30  #412
> > InCahoots
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > Guy Lalonde wrote:
> >
> > >    Part 1.1       Type: Plain Text (text/plain)
> > >               Encoding: quoted-printable
> >
> > 
> 
> 
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