Help! What's going on with this Mast and Mast Step - Catalina 22' - 1971

[Carl Wonderful]

I purchases a 1971 Catalina 22 few days ago. I'm new to sailing so I must have overlooked the very strange mast and mast step. Honestly, I assumed there was another piece that went over what I'm seeing here but there was no other piece. The rest of boat looked really good and got it for a good deal. The owner had passed away 4 years ago so the family didn't know much about the boat. They seemed honest and said the owner sailed up until he got sick then had to store the boat after that so it seemed the boat should be in close to sailing condition or at least nothing seriously wrong. The owner was a very meticulous guy and rest of boat was kept great shape and it didn't seemed like he Jerry rigged stuff up....but this mast is freakin' me out.

I cant seem to find anything even close online to this mast step with the metal cylinder and/or a mast what lacks the holes for a bolt to go through like most other masts... The Mast itself has me totally confused at what happened and even how it is now rigged up.

Help guys!
Thanks,
Jaison

 

[...3TacksontheWater]

Carl Wonderful:

Wow. This is only speculation but the pictures tell the story. Your mast step has been sheered off and with the repair to the mast it leads me to believe that the mast has been shortened to mitigate bottom damage. The accepted repair for damaging the bottom of your mast is to place a support on the bottom of the mast to preserve the designed length measurements. Catalina Direct sells these mast shims. It also appears that the long starboard side wood screw may be utilizing the original bolt hole for the mast raising alignment bolt but, the band around the bottom of the mast is blocking what should be a receiving bolt hole opposite of that oversized wood screw. It would be worth a closer look to see just how much of the bottom of the mast has been shaved off or, if the mast is still the correct length.

Regardless, the mast step should be replaced. If you could get the hole dimensions from another boat or CD that would help you confirm if your mast is the proper length or not. Then you can decide how to make up for the length deficiency and start the process of getting her ready to sail.

Jaison, I hope this helps. Spend as much time reading past posts and repair posts as you can. There is a lot of knowledge on the this forum.

George

 

[Woodworks1]

You should check up on Catalina direct for mass step replacement and sailboatdata.com for mast Length CATALINA 22 - sailboatdata for mast length.
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The mast height of a Catalina 22 varies depending on the model, but the mast from the waterline to the masthead is generally around 28' 6" to 32' 5", with taller rigs also available. Standard rigs typically have a mast around 28' 6", while the larger rigs, like those found on the Catalina Capri 22, can extend to 32' 5" or even 34' 5".