I'm sure this is a no-brainer for everyone with a V32, but the answer escapes me. How do you reach high enough to put the main cover aroung the mast at the top of the flaked main and how do you do reach to apply the top-most fastener? I'm 6'2" and can touch 8' & I have a hard time of it. How does everyone else do it? I've thought of using a big SS hose clamp to go around the mast to hold some sort of foot-hold on each side to allow me to reach more easly. How do you all do it?
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Try ABI Folding Mast Step
Tom, I have four on my L40.5 and wish I had had one on my V32. I have seen a bunch of V32's with them, and I think the V36 had them as stock. They are aluminum, so no corrosion issues, especially if you rivet them with aluminum rivets. See page 1039 of the West Marine 2002 Master Catalog. $15.99 each. Good luck, Rick D.
Tom, I have four on my L40.5 and wish I had had one on my V32. I have seen a bunch of V32's with them, and I think the V36 had them as stock. They are aluminum, so no corrosion issues, especially if you rivet them with aluminum rivets. See page 1039 of the West Marine 2002 Master Catalog. $15.99 each. Good luck, Rick D.
The mast step is a good idea, but for the warning
in the Vision manual about putting holes in the mast within 3 feet of the deck... Yes, I agree the mast step will go on with 3 or 4 itty bitty holes with Al pop rivets in them, and that it does not present much of a chance for that big honkin' Vision mast to come down, BUT. I'm an engineer, so a little bit cautious about these things.... I bet Hunter is talking about cutting exit holes with a dull 3/8" bit and a broken hack saw blade, or putting in a bunch of 1/4" holes for a winch, and not what we are talking about, right? Anyone with a V32 or V36 on the board done this?
in the Vision manual about putting holes in the mast within 3 feet of the deck... Yes, I agree the mast step will go on with 3 or 4 itty bitty holes with Al pop rivets in them, and that it does not present much of a chance for that big honkin' Vision mast to come down, BUT. I'm an engineer, so a little bit cautious about these things.... I bet Hunter is talking about cutting exit holes with a dull 3/8" bit and a broken hack saw blade, or putting in a bunch of 1/4" holes for a winch, and not what we are talking about, right? Anyone with a V32 or V36 on the board done this?
Its a little high, but . . .
I get it done. My 89' Vision came with a SS cover for the mast track access, and when new would stop the sail slides from passing and stacking neatly at boom height. A slight redress with a file fixed that (this might be what Jim was referring to). I'm 6' and could easily tie my sail cover off above the headboard. My new sail has larger slides, and also Schaefer Batcars, all of which cause the main to stack higher on the mast. Its now hard for me to reach, and impossible for my wife. I'm also considering a mast step to help with this new situation. Also, I wouldn't be concerned about drilling a few small holes in the mast to mount a mast step. As you already know, stress cracks aren't likely to form from this type of surface penetration. If you have any misgivings, I would use rivets instead of screws to further reduce the chance of stress cracks forming in this area.
I get it done. My 89' Vision came with a SS cover for the mast track access, and when new would stop the sail slides from passing and stacking neatly at boom height. A slight redress with a file fixed that (this might be what Jim was referring to). I'm 6' and could easily tie my sail cover off above the headboard. My new sail has larger slides, and also Schaefer Batcars, all of which cause the main to stack higher on the mast. Its now hard for me to reach, and impossible for my wife. I'm also considering a mast step to help with this new situation. Also, I wouldn't be concerned about drilling a few small holes in the mast to mount a mast step. As you already know, stress cracks aren't likely to form from this type of surface penetration. If you have any misgivings, I would use rivets instead of screws to further reduce the chance of stress cracks forming in this area.
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