[Public-List] How does the top mast step bolt to the lower mast step plate on older boats?

[George Dinwiddie]

I've not gotten around to turning these into proper web pages, but 
perhaps http://alberg30.org/maintenance/disorganized/maststep/ and 
http://alberg30.org/maintenance/disorganized/maststep/retapping/ will help.

The mast step is only intended to hold the bottom of the mast in 
position.  The shrouds and stays hold it in place.

  - George

Jeffrey wrote:
> I've finally addressed taking off my mast step plate to see what's
> under there. Deck is hard and sound, but any old sealant is dry and
> dusty. Seagrass is an older boat, so the lower plate was held in with
> six flat head bolts, the center two going right through to the cabin
> inside.
> 
> It's the top section I'm concerned about. The top section of my setup
> (what the mast actually sits on, is held by four short bolts, that
> bolt only to the lower mast plate (which is bolted to the deck). Since
> it appears there has been a few new holes drilled, filled and changed,
> I don't know if this is original. I'm wondering if the top bolts
> should go straight through the lower plate into the fiberglass?
> 
> Anyone with an older boat know what the original setup is?
> 
> I must admit that I'm not entirely sure I understand the direction of
> the forces the rig puts in this. Obviously downward pressure.
> Certainly the aluminum or fiberglass threads won't hold any upward
> pull.  Are there sideways forces at the mast base? The whole aluminum
> threading seems so weak, even the top plate isn't that meaty on the
> outside of the ovals.
> 
> Essentially, should I leave it alone and just let the top bolts tread
> to the bottom plate?
> 
> -Jeff
> 
> 
> Jeff Fongemie
> #116 Seagrass
> 
> http://picasaweb.google.com/fongemie
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-- 
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   When I remember bygone days                         George Dinwiddie
   I think how evening follows morn;            gdinwiddie at alberg30.org
   So many I loved were not yet dead,           http://www.Alberg30.org
   So many I love were not yet born.                          also see:
                'The Middle' by Ogden Nash     http://idiacomputing.com
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