follow up mast corrosion

[Barry]

This is a follow up to the orrosion problem I have on My Keel Stepped Hunter 30 1975 Vintage. I was in contact with a spar manufacturer and their engineer suggested the following:cut the corroded portion of the mast outClean out the old mast step weld 1/2" thick aluminum plate to the top and bottom of a 6" diameter 3/8" thick aluminum tube.leave enough overhang to bolt the plate to where the old keel step was, and also enough overhang to bolt a new mast step to the plate on the top of this contraption. Mount the mast on the new mast step and this would allow me to raise the mast at least 12" without loosing any integrity of the entire system. What does the group think?Barry

 

[Ed Schenck]

Don't like it Barry.

Too many welds and stress points for me. Especially if it is 12" long. How much corrosion do you plan to cut off the bottom? I still like a 4 to 6" solid new step with the cut off mast fitted just like the original. Now all the topside wires, boom height, etc. remain as designed. IMHO, I am not a marine architect.

 

[Barry]

mast corrosion

EdI know what you mean. I don't think I will be cutting 12", but more like 6-8" off the mast. A new mast step would be fitted to the top of this welded tube. I also thought about using stainless steel. How about stacked stainless or aluminum plates 12" thick about 8" square. I would stack these up to the amount I cut off the mast,bolt them together, and then attach a new mast step to that. Bolt the whole thing to the keel where the old step was.Barry