seating of mast in mast step

[jdgnjp]

On an 1973 O'day 22, must the front curved edge of the mast, rest firmly on the bottom plate of the mast step when the mast is correctly seated? Any one have a photo of the bottom of a correctly- stepped mast in place, taken from the bow?
We are having difficulty fitting the mast's bottom edge to fully seat or rest on the inner plate. One side of the edge is slightly canted, resting on one side of the casting hump that fits inside the mast.
Part of our anxiety was caused when sailing with rail in the water, main and genoa pulling well, the anodized gold mast bowed sharply about halfway up. Might this have been caused by a incorrectly seated mast?
Many thanks for any responses.
Joel and Norma

 

[Daydreamer]

Not sure about the mast step you have. I have the hinged one like D&R sells, and it sits flat. Works great and is simple to set up.

The bend in the mast to the sides is caused by incorrect shroud tension, not enough. I balance mine to keep the mast straight and just a little slack on the leeward side when close hauled. I read that somewhere.

My boat sails best with the rail about 4 inches from the water, more than that and I am mostly working against weather helm and slowing down.

 

[kpgraci]

Here is the best I can do. HTH.



I don't think it rests squarely, but is supported by the pivot pin mostly.

It's up to the stays to support the mast, not the step. The step just holds the mast from any fore/aft and lateral movement, and transfers compression force down to the compression post. Check your shroud tension - hand tight and equal tension on port and starboard.

 

[kpgraci]

My boat sails best with the rail about 4 inches from the water, more than that and I am mostly working against weather helm and slowing down.

4 inches! Mine will head up before I get that much heel. I'd say 10-15* is ideal.

 

[Kelly]

I agree with kpgraci. Heeling more than 15 degrees isn't preferable and mine certainly would start to head up if the rail was 4" from the water. The shrouds must be kept at even tension port and starboard and not more than hand tight in the case of the 22. Laying on your back and sighting up the mast is also useful to confirm that your tension is equal side to side for both the lower and upper shrouds. You will notice when on a reach that the leeward shrouds slack a bit. This is normal and they shouldn't be tightened while under way.