Hi all - I am in the middle of a mast-overhauling project which included running my halyards internal of the mast. I drilled out the masthead to accept the halyards for the main and head sails. For my Spinaker - I drilled out an entry hole about 12-18 inched down from the masthead. The hole was a bit sloppy to drill so I had to cut a few different holes and then cut it neat with a hacksaw. My halyard is 3/8" and the exit plate I bought fits over the hole to allow the line to freely exit and glide. My concern is that the hole I drilled in the mast may weaken the integrity of the mast - should I worry here? I ended up with a diamond-shaped opening about 2" tall and 1" wide with all corners rounded-out (no 90 degree edges). The reason I drilled it larger was to accept the plate which has an indention larger thant the line. The hole was made on the forward most part of the mast (leading edge) - opposite this hole is the sail-track on the aft side of the mast.....should I worry about weakening the mast at all? The other 3 exit holes were drilled a bit more like oval slots and are stagered over a 6 foot section at the lower protion of the mast - 2 starboard 1 port. Thanks - appreciate the feedback. Rob
Haylard Exit Plates
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Don't worry
Hi Rob - Catalina used overbuilt spars so I'd not be too concerned. Many owners and riggers drill large holes in masts for extra sheaves, blocks, radar mounts, steps etc. That being said, I'm not qualified to give you a guarantee! Hopefully an engineer type with pipe in here. Best, Trevor
Hi Rob - Catalina used overbuilt spars so I'd not be too concerned. Many owners and riggers drill large holes in masts for extra sheaves, blocks, radar mounts, steps etc. That being said, I'm not qualified to give you a guarantee! Hopefully an engineer type with pipe in here. Best, Trevor
C-30
Ah yes - it is a Catalina 30. Thanks trevor! Also - I would imagine the plate would provide some stregnthing. Rob
Ah yes - it is a Catalina 30. Thanks trevor! Also - I would imagine the plate would provide some stregnthing. Rob
I would not worry
I recently had my complete spar redone last year and ordered it from Lefiell. The mast came with internal halyards two on each side. The slits are 3/8 wide and about 4 inches long on each side.The holes are staggered so that they are not exactly next to each other I do not know the difference in material thickness but that was how I needed it to run extra lines when needed. It would also depend on how old the mast is and if it had any signs of corrosion or metal fatigue. John
I recently had my complete spar redone last year and ordered it from Lefiell. The mast came with internal halyards two on each side. The slits are 3/8 wide and about 4 inches long on each side.The holes are staggered so that they are not exactly next to each other I do not know the difference in material thickness but that was how I needed it to run extra lines when needed. It would also depend on how old the mast is and if it had any signs of corrosion or metal fatigue. John
Structuraly OK
Since it is at the free end of the beam (aka masthead) there should be no problem. you get into trouble when you start drilling holes where the mast flexes (aka bending moments).
Since it is at the free end of the beam (aka masthead) there should be no problem. you get into trouble when you start drilling holes where the mast flexes (aka bending moments).
Plate helps
Rob, my Cal 28 came with a mast that had several internal openings at the base and I wondered the same thing, but I think the positioning of the openings in relation to each other is probably a critical factor. If you have openings at the same level on the lower half of the mast you have a potential break zone: staggered openings don't cause as much weakness in one small area. On my mast I had the original plastic plates replaced with stainless Shaefer plates that are held in with 4 large screws each, improving the support in the vicinity of the hole. If I had done the work myself, rather than have a rigger do it, I would have put caulk under the plate to spread the load more evenly in the area of each hole.
Rob, my Cal 28 came with a mast that had several internal openings at the base and I wondered the same thing, but I think the positioning of the openings in relation to each other is probably a critical factor. If you have openings at the same level on the lower half of the mast you have a potential break zone: staggered openings don't cause as much weakness in one small area. On my mast I had the original plastic plates replaced with stainless Shaefer plates that are held in with 4 large screws each, improving the support in the vicinity of the hole. If I had done the work myself, rather than have a rigger do it, I would have put caulk under the plate to spread the load more evenly in the area of each hole.
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