Bottom of mast has broken tabs

[SameODay]

I searched this problem and found no results, if it has been addressed please forgive me.
I have an O Day 26. When I purchased it on the trailer a couple of years ago, the seller
told me it had broken tabs at the base where the hinge pin goes through. I would need to
get additional help to raise the mast, to hold the bottom in place while it was being raised.
I was told this was a common issue with the thin aluminum tabs, breaking off. My questions,
is this a common problem? If so then, what are options in repairing this. Do you just leave it
the way it is and only worry with it while raising and lowering the mast? Any help will be appreciated. Thanks. - Sam

 

[Dave Groshong]

It sounds like you're talking about a mast foot? Can you show a picture or 2?

 

[Jackdaw]

It CAN happen, whether or not it is 'common' I suppose depends on if it happened to you!

The pin the the mast foot can have two jobs.

1) is to help the mast pivot when raising/lowering. This is also when it breaks.

2) is to hold the base of the mast in place while supported by the rig.

As long as your mast foot has a way to do job#2 while sailing, you will be fine if you can get it up. Normally there is a raised cross pattern that provides this support.

Fixing it normally involves getting a new mast foot. This is a easy process as long as you can find one. If you cannot, it becomes much more of a challenge.

 

[JRT]

Is this is?

http://www.drmarine.com/proddetail.asp?prod=DR2150

 

[SameODay]

Thanks Jackdaw. Mine does have the raised cross pattern and in two years of sailing the mast has never
given any problem. I am trying to sell the boat now and the broken hinge tabs could be an issue for someone
that wants to trailer the boat more. Thanks for your reply!

 

[SameODay]

Thanks John Tubb, The product shown is not the current configuration I have. However I do
believe it is designed to replace what I have. Stainless Steel makes a lot more sense than cast or
lighter gauge Aluminum. Thank-You for your reply!

 

[Brian S]

I don't know about the O'day 26, but on my 192 and 222, there were 2 different mast extrusion suppliers. The hinge pictured by John available at D&R is for a Dwyer mast. On the 192 and 222, a Z-Spars extrusion was also fitted. This used a cast aluminum base and end plug. Z-Spars parts are available at www.rigrite.com The mast base for a 192's Z-Spars mast is drastically different than the SS hinge on a Dwyer. I have helped a friend replace the mast base on his Z-Spar.

 

[SameODay]

Thanks Brian!

 

[agprice22]

I have tried to get mast parts for my O'day 272 from rigrite, and I found they were long out of stock. Rigrite said they had no intention of manufacturing them. You may find that is the case with most older parts unless they are used on a current model.

 

[Sunbird22358]

I talked to Rudy this past Saturday, most of the O'DAY 26s had Dwyer Masts but a few did have Z-Spar masts.

 

[Dave Groshong]

We offer both Dwyer and Z-Spar mast foot, if it's Z-spar there will be a casting number on the inside.

 

[StanleyJ]

I have an Oday 272 with a broken Z Spar mast foot. My cast aluminum foot has a protrusion on the bottom that slips into a slot on the mast deck plate. I removed the cast aluminum deck plate and I am replacing the mast hinge with a Dwyer stainless steel hinge. At first I had planned to have the mast foot protrusion machined off but now I have decided to have a slot cut in the top hinge plate to accept the protrusion so that the mast foot will sit flat on the top plate and will drill bolt holes behind the sheeves in the mast foot in addition to a couple of bolt holes in front of the sheeves. I am adding a stainless steel halyard organizer plate beneath the Dwyer hinge. I haven't completed the project but it appears that it will work. The pre-drilled mounting holes in the Dwyer hinge and organizer plate do not line up with the deck holes from the Z spar deck plate so therefore the bottom hinge plate and organizer will have to be re-drilled

 

[Sunbird22358]

Is this the mast base/hinge for the 26? That is for the Z-Spar mast, I know it isn't the DWYER setup.

 

[StanleyJ]

Is this the mast base/hinge for the 26? That is for the Z-Spar mast, I know it isn't the DWYER setup.

You have a Z Spar setup. My (272LE) Z Spar mast base parts are a different model than yours. I have internal halyards and sheeves in the Z Spar mast foot which are about 2" tall. My model Z Spar foot is shown in the RigRite online catalog but it is no longer manufactured. I had to keep the same basic height on my mast foot so that my stays and furling would remain the same so therefore I removed the Z Spar deck plate and I am mounting a Dwyer stainless steel hinge plate to the boat deck and mounting the Z Spar mast foot to the top plate of the Dwyer hinge.

You may be able to find a similar mast foot and base in the Rig Rite online catalog that will work. I have seen parts similar to yours. I have also seen parts similar to yours on Ebay if you do a search on "Z Spar mast parts". I'll post a picture of what I modified on my mast parts when I get them back from the machine shop in a few days. Best of luck in your repair.