Mast Base Question

[Piratenorm]

I recently bought a mast step halyard plate for the base of the mast that allows additional blocks to be used. Got it from Catalina Direct for my Catalina 30, 1983 Mk 1 traditional rig. My question is, this plate sits Below the mast cabintop base plate, which is held onto the cabin top with what I believe to be 4 lag screws, as there is no nut on the inside of the cabin top under the mast, naturally as this is where the compresion post is. Is that what these are, Lag Screws? If so, should I bed them back in place using 5200 sealant to restore deck integrity? Or is there a better solution?
Thanks. Norm

 

[SailingWebGuy]

I just added the same plate a few weeks ago. Yes, they are lag screws. I asked the question about through bolting them or not and the opinions were about 50/50.

When I installed the plate I used new lag screws. I drilled the old holes a bit bigger, filled them with epoxy, then redrilled the correct size for the new lag screws. Also bedded the screws and the bottom of the plate with 5200.

 

[Twice Around]

I did what SWG did, to avoid letting moisture in the deck.

 

[Team118]

Did the same....didn't use 5200 though. Used a less permanent version...

 

[SailingWebGuy]

Oh yeah, one thing I wanted to mention.. My C30 (1976) didn't come with any means to stop water from dripping down the wiring in the mast and going right through the deck. The result was a rotten compression post and a spongy deck between that and the mast base plate.

I had to remove the compression post and drill an 1-1/2" hole through the deck where the wires went through. Then I filled that with epoxy. I then cut a 1" hole through the epoxy, threaded it, and installed a pvc nipple. A piece of hose goes on the nipple (about 1' long). The hose will be bent so that the mast wiring can run down the mast, up through the hose, then turn and go back down through the deck.

Hopefully this will stop any leaks..

 

[amcgilvray]

I have a 30ft hunter that had the deck compressing. So I removed the mast, Found a aluminum plate under the mast (that holds the bolts that the mast step is bolted to) found all the wood and balsa rotten. Removed it all, put new coring (Cossa board) and fiberglassed and finished. Now it is SOLID! The compression post shows no sign of needed to be replaced. If anyone wants to see photos, please let me know! cowgircapital@att.net

 

[Old Skool Neil]

There never should have been any balsa in the mast compression area. What were they thinking?