What grade is it? Mine snapped when rigging down Sunday when it got hung and I couldn't tighten or loosen it. The one that was one the boat looked like a standard galvanized 4" carriage bolt to me.
Mac V-21 Mast step bolt...
- Thread starter CharlieCobra
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Bolt
If the bolt we are talking about is the bolt that goes through the base of the mast and allows the mast to pivot in the tabernacle, my is a 3/8" stainless steel bolt with a stainless steel quikloc nut. I believe it is 316 stainless steel but there was a recent discussion on this forum or the trailersailor forum about 316 vs 314 stainless steel. Stainless steel is several times more expensive than galvanized, BUT this is not the bolt to go the cheap way. Slightly off topic there are several hex head bolts and nuts on the deck fittings of the V-21. So as not to risk loosing my good wrenches I bought three ultra-cheep multisize dumbbell wrenches when I got the boat. 36 years later, I have two, the missing wrench broke and did not go over board. I wander how many I would have lost if I had used the good ones.
If the bolt we are talking about is the bolt that goes through the base of the mast and allows the mast to pivot in the tabernacle, my is a 3/8" stainless steel bolt with a stainless steel quikloc nut. I believe it is 316 stainless steel but there was a recent discussion on this forum or the trailersailor forum about 316 vs 314 stainless steel. Stainless steel is several times more expensive than galvanized, BUT this is not the bolt to go the cheap way. Slightly off topic there are several hex head bolts and nuts on the deck fittings of the V-21. So as not to risk loosing my good wrenches I bought three ultra-cheep multisize dumbbell wrenches when I got the boat. 36 years later, I have two, the missing wrench broke and did not go over board. I wander how many I would have lost if I had used the good ones.
Hardware Store
If this is the bolt which allows the the mast swivel during mast raising, there is almost no stress on this bolt. In addition, it is clearly visible so that any excess wear or corrosion is readily visible. I suspect its larger size is required to act as a large bearing surface against the mast and its actualy stength is far in excess of its need. Go to the local hardware store and buy a SS bolt. If I remember correctly, it is a 3/8 or 5/16 bolt about four inches long, but just measure the existing one or measure the location where it is installed.
If this is the bolt which allows the the mast swivel during mast raising, there is almost no stress on this bolt. In addition, it is clearly visible so that any excess wear or corrosion is readily visible. I suspect its larger size is required to act as a large bearing surface against the mast and its actualy stength is far in excess of its need. Go to the local hardware store and buy a SS bolt. If I remember correctly, it is a 3/8 or 5/16 bolt about four inches long, but just measure the existing one or measure the location where it is installed.
Bolt
I went to the local Ace Hardware. I spend a lot of time in the hardware isle, coming up with bits for the boat. 3/8" bolt, I went 4 1/2" long. Two fender washers, a regular nut, and a wingnut in stainless. The wingnut is used as a jam nut. I picked up a 1/4" version of the same setup to use at the mast/tabernacle interface for towing. As I buy stainless, I feel like I'm investing in precious metal - but it is worth it. Now, how tight does everyone keep this bolt? I go just good and snug by hand when rigged, And a couple turns looser when stepping.
I went to the local Ace Hardware. I spend a lot of time in the hardware isle, coming up with bits for the boat. 3/8" bolt, I went 4 1/2" long. Two fender washers, a regular nut, and a wingnut in stainless. The wingnut is used as a jam nut. I picked up a 1/4" version of the same setup to use at the mast/tabernacle interface for towing. As I buy stainless, I feel like I'm investing in precious metal - but it is worth it. Now, how tight does everyone keep this bolt? I go just good and snug by hand when rigged, And a couple turns looser when stepping.
Not Tight
It requires a nut with a nylon insert to keep it from backing off. It should just go down and touch the tabernacle so that there is no movement of the bolt. I can see no need for it to be tight at all.
It requires a nut with a nylon insert to keep it from backing off. It should just go down and touch the tabernacle so that there is no movement of the bolt. I can see no need for it to be tight at all.
Mast
For the mast support I just have the 3/8" bolt and the quikloc (nut with a nylon insert). The bolt head and nut are both bigger than the slot in the mast tabernacle. I have the same system in the foreward mast support. The mast is held in the support by a 1/4 inch bolt and quickloc nut and the support is held in the recepticle on the deck by a shorter 1/4" bolt and nut. I only snug the bolt to the point where the gap is closed between the mast and tabernacle. If it is tight the mast will not pivot properly and you will have trouble raising the mast.
For the mast support I just have the 3/8" bolt and the quikloc (nut with a nylon insert). The bolt head and nut are both bigger than the slot in the mast tabernacle. I have the same system in the foreward mast support. The mast is held in the support by a 1/4 inch bolt and quickloc nut and the support is held in the recepticle on the deck by a shorter 1/4" bolt and nut. I only snug the bolt to the point where the gap is closed between the mast and tabernacle. If it is tight the mast will not pivot properly and you will have trouble raising the mast.
Yeah, I've seen that...
the mast got hung up once with the forstay an inch away from the chainplate when I tightened this bolt too much prior to raising the mast.
the mast got hung up once with the forstay an inch away from the chainplate when I tightened this bolt too much prior to raising the mast.
Jam nut
Nyloc is a good thing, but need to be replaced regularly. After tightening past the nylon a couple of times, it becomes just another nut. (They work by deformation) That is why I use a wing nut as a jam nut. Jam nuts are what was used before nylock.
Nyloc is a good thing, but need to be replaced regularly. After tightening past the nylon a couple of times, it becomes just another nut. (They work by deformation) That is why I use a wing nut as a jam nut. Jam nuts are what was used before nylock.
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