On my boat all the mast lines run to the cockpit.I was looking for a way to eliminate some stress from the cabin roof. I thought I might be able to connect the blocks to the mast base with pad eyes or "U" bolts and take some strain off the cabin and eliminate 18 bolt holes that might leak. I have seem this set up on other boat masts. One set up was a heavy duty SS rod surrounding the mast base. Has anyone got an idea where to look for such a thing or should I construct it myself. This new set up would also contain the stresses in the mast and not transfer them to the cabin roof.
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It looks like the mast had blocks ...
mounted at the base already. What was removed where the holes are shown? My boat has a pair of blocks at the base that lead the halyards back to the cockpit. They are mounted on a pin so they have a limited range of motion. I want to find blocks that have more than just one sheave so I can lead other control lines back to the clutches that I installed on the cabin roof. I've looked in the usual catalogues and haven't seen any that I like yet. I also don't particularly want to bolt blocks throught the cabin roof next to the mast.
mounted at the base already. What was removed where the holes are shown? My boat has a pair of blocks at the base that lead the halyards back to the cockpit. They are mounted on a pin so they have a limited range of motion. I want to find blocks that have more than just one sheave so I can lead other control lines back to the clutches that I installed on the cabin roof. I've looked in the usual catalogues and haven't seen any that I like yet. I also don't particularly want to bolt blocks throught the cabin roof next to the mast.
Halyard organizer
You can buy a mast step/halyard organizer from West Marine, Defender or others for around $20. It attaches to the mast and you can shackle your blocks to it. I could not find it in the new West catalog, but somewhere out there is a stainless mast base plate that goes under your mast. It has holes on all sides for attaching several blocks.
You can buy a mast step/halyard organizer from West Marine, Defender or others for around $20. It attaches to the mast and you can shackle your blocks to it. I could not find it in the new West catalog, but somewhere out there is a stainless mast base plate that goes under your mast. It has holes on all sides for attaching several blocks.
Rad.....
Your cabin appears reinforced in that area for mast support. Most deck stepped masts have this feature so I don't see any danger in your current set up as long as the mounts are properly sealed. Blocks mounted in unreinforced areas usually have a backing plate on the underside. If the reinforced area is metal you can tap in the mounting screws. I have a lot of stuff mounted on my cabin top, including winches, cleats, turning blocks, organizers, etc. so I'm not seeing the problem, unless it's asthetic.
Your cabin appears reinforced in that area for mast support. Most deck stepped masts have this feature so I don't see any danger in your current set up as long as the mounts are properly sealed. Blocks mounted in unreinforced areas usually have a backing plate on the underside. If the reinforced area is metal you can tap in the mounting screws. I have a lot of stuff mounted on my cabin top, including winches, cleats, turning blocks, organizers, etc. so I'm not seeing the problem, unless it's asthetic.
mast holes
The holes are from a rigid boom vang that was removed befors I bought the boat. I guess I'll have to plug those holes also. I have a new BoomKicker to be installed this spring but the holes don't line up.
The holes are from a rigid boom vang that was removed befors I bought the boat. I guess I'll have to plug those holes also. I have a new BoomKicker to be installed this spring but the holes don't line up.
You don't get rid of the stress
Sorry rad, but all you do with the mast mounted hardware is get rid of the holes in the deck. The force of a rope getting pulled on still gets transfered to the deck only now it is through the mast step. Sooooo make sure the mast step can accomidate this kind of load. For the record the only way to "get the load off the deck" is to mount all the hardware on the mast - winch, stopper, cleat - everything. Of corse this kinda defeats the purpose of running the lines to the cockpit.
Sorry rad, but all you do with the mast mounted hardware is get rid of the holes in the deck. The force of a rope getting pulled on still gets transfered to the deck only now it is through the mast step. Sooooo make sure the mast step can accomidate this kind of load. For the record the only way to "get the load off the deck" is to mount all the hardware on the mast - winch, stopper, cleat - everything. Of corse this kinda defeats the purpose of running the lines to the cockpit.
It's called a halyard organizer plate
You can find it at dwyermast.com - other good stuff there too. There are four models/sizes, all about $40
You can find it at dwyermast.com - other good stuff there too. There are four models/sizes, all about $40
By the way...
It mounts under the mast base plate. On some boats that would be between the base plate and the hinge.
It mounts under the mast base plate. On some boats that would be between the base plate and the hinge.
mast base
Thanks for all your input. That is what I am looking for. I guess it will have to wait untill this fall when I step the mast.
Thanks for all your input. That is what I am looking for. I guess it will have to wait untill this fall when I step the mast.
Question for Ed
Why not mount the organizer plate between the mast base casting and the upper hinge piece? Then there wouldn't be any interference.
Why not mount the organizer plate between the mast base casting and the upper hinge piece? Then there wouldn't be any interference.
rad,
is your mast keel stepped or deck stepped? if keel stepped how would that Halyard organizer mount, cut it out in the center the diameter of the mast. That is a nice item I have a keel stepped mast and was thinking how I would do it. The other RAD
is your mast keel stepped or deck stepped? if keel stepped how would that Halyard organizer mount, cut it out in the center the diameter of the mast. That is a nice item I have a keel stepped mast and was thinking how I would do it. The other RAD
deck stepped
My mast is deck Changing over to this system would eliminate 24 possible leak spots. I'm not sure how to do it if your mast is keel stepped. I have seen heavy SS rod bent to fit the mast and bolted on forming a mini hand rail for mounting the blocks at the base of the mast. the other rad
My mast is deck Changing over to this system would eliminate 24 possible leak spots. I'm not sure how to do it if your mast is keel stepped. I have seen heavy SS rod bent to fit the mast and bolted on forming a mini hand rail for mounting the blocks at the base of the mast. the other rad
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