Greetings Sailors. My name is Dan. I live in Albuquerque and am new to sailing. My 1983 MacGregor 21 has a bent mast. I have a new mast. In swapping out the hardware from one to the other, I seek advice and have a few questions. Are there any upgrades to components or design that I can incorporate into this refit? If this project has been detailed in video and available online, please share the link. If this project is detailed in writing please direct me to it. Overall, what components or fittings should be replaced, what components or fittings can be upgraded to a newer design and what components or fittings can be reinstalled?
Specifically:
Is it advised to change out all through-mast bolts (and nuts)? The hardware to which are attached shrouds, forestay and back stay look fine and will be reused. What about the through bolts?
It seems like a good time to change out the cheek pulley near the top on the starboard side. Mine is screwed in, but a drawing I have dated 3/7/77 indicates pop rivets (this must have been specific to the Venture). Are screws or rivets recommended?
The spreaders seem to have been set at three different heights (see photo). Why might this be? The three holes for the through bolts as measured from the foot are 9’6”, 10’1” and the spreader is currently at 10’6”. At what height should the spreaders be installed on the new mast? The drawing from 1977 indicates 10’6”.
Regarding the fitting that connects the spreader’s root to the mast: should these fittings be reused, or replaced or is there a newer design? Should the spreaders be replaced, or reused? Please see photos. And a related question: this fitting is fastened to the mast in three places; with a through-bolt, a screw, and a third bolt and nut. This third bolt is a bit of a mystery: the bolt heads seem to be on the interior of the mast. Please advise.
There are four cleats and other hardware fixed to the mast with screws. Exactly what screws are recommended? Stainless? Probably about 1/8” diameter and length of 1/2” to 3/4”, but what thread pattern (fine, coarse or medium)? Perhaps rivets would be better. Please advise.
Is there a newer design for the mast step and mast heel, or should I reinstall the existing mast heel (on the new mast)? The mast step has some gouges possibly from a grinder (see photo). Should it be replaced?
There is a masthead light and a deck light mounted high on the mast. I was led to believe that these were replaced in the last five to ten years and I plan to reuse them.
Specifically:
Is it advised to change out all through-mast bolts (and nuts)? The hardware to which are attached shrouds, forestay and back stay look fine and will be reused. What about the through bolts?
It seems like a good time to change out the cheek pulley near the top on the starboard side. Mine is screwed in, but a drawing I have dated 3/7/77 indicates pop rivets (this must have been specific to the Venture). Are screws or rivets recommended?
The spreaders seem to have been set at three different heights (see photo). Why might this be? The three holes for the through bolts as measured from the foot are 9’6”, 10’1” and the spreader is currently at 10’6”. At what height should the spreaders be installed on the new mast? The drawing from 1977 indicates 10’6”.
Regarding the fitting that connects the spreader’s root to the mast: should these fittings be reused, or replaced or is there a newer design? Should the spreaders be replaced, or reused? Please see photos. And a related question: this fitting is fastened to the mast in three places; with a through-bolt, a screw, and a third bolt and nut. This third bolt is a bit of a mystery: the bolt heads seem to be on the interior of the mast. Please advise.
There are four cleats and other hardware fixed to the mast with screws. Exactly what screws are recommended? Stainless? Probably about 1/8” diameter and length of 1/2” to 3/4”, but what thread pattern (fine, coarse or medium)? Perhaps rivets would be better. Please advise.
Is there a newer design for the mast step and mast heel, or should I reinstall the existing mast heel (on the new mast)? The mast step has some gouges possibly from a grinder (see photo). Should it be replaced?
There is a masthead light and a deck light mounted high on the mast. I was led to believe that these were replaced in the last five to ten years and I plan to reuse them.