mast boot

[sfreedom]

I have a 1987 oday 272. when looking down at the mast boot I can see four screws, two of which have come loose. I tried to tighten them but they appear stripped.upon furthur inspection I can see that these screws are only one half an inch long and do not appear to have any purpose. The length of the screws are not long enough to go through the boot and into the hull. .There are four additional bolts that go through the deck that appear to hold the boot in place.
Can anyone tell what these smaller screws are for? Should I be worried?

Thank you . Swansea

 

[Good Vibrations]

Four screws loose

I have a 1987 oday 272. when looking down at the mast boot I can see four screws, two of which have come loose. I tried to tighten them but they appear stripped.upon furthur inspection I can see that these screws are only one half an inch long and do not appear to have any purpose. The length of the screws are not long enough to go through the boot and into the hull. .There are four additional bolts that go through the deck that appear to hold the boot in place.
Can anyone tell what these smaller screws are for? Should I be worried?

Thank you . Swansea

Don't worry about them. They are meaningless--or at least I think so. Mine have been like that for years. Same boat.

 

[RECESS]

Call Rudy at D&R Marine (508) 644-3001. He was the materials manager at O'Day and sells all the replacement parts for the O'Day line. He will know exactly why it was set it up that way. He is extremely helpful.

Also, his website

http://www.drmarine.com/default.asp