Mast base damage

[fstenman]

We recently had an accident caused by a stuck throttle on our outboard motor. The result was that the casting that the mast attaches to was pulled off the wooden block that it was screwed to on the top of the cabin. No damage was done to the casting and it appears that it could be screwed back down. We need to figure out if there is a good appoxy type product that could be used to repair the holes that the screws were in. Would it be possible, or advisable to bolt the casting back on the wood plate straight thru to the cabin ceiling?
Thanks

 

[kloudie1]

Produced by Maine Sail on this forum..
This is one of the best articles on how to work a successful, leak proof, through deck bolt.. Ya may only need the first part where the bevels and butyl are discussed..
http://www.pbase.com/mainecruising/sealing_the_deck&page=1

 

[fstenman]

Claude,
Thanks The article helps.
My biggest concern is if it would be safe to put bolts thru of the cabin
It seems that the way the mast is attached now allows it to break away. I'm thinking this may be on purpose
fstenman

 

[kloudie1]

fstenman, I wouldn't think that they'd design it that way because of the forces involved in erecting the mast or dropping it for trailering. Once the mast is up, there is a lot of compression force pushing down, so sideways strength (along the cabin top, instead of down into the cabin top) is not a big issue. I am not familiar with how that base is mounted.. is it machine screws that go into a plate embedded in the fiberglass or are they something like wood screws going into the glass and core material? Some pictures of the whole shebang would help the forum gang here comment more effectively. On the question of through bolting, it depends on what is between the outside cabin top and the inside liner where you would be bolting through.