Mast Compression

Oct 30, 2019
4
Has anyone out there beefed up their bulkheads/mast support beam on
their boat that might have some pictures of how they did it?

Our boat does not show any signs of stress, but was wondering if it
might be wise to be pro-active and not wait for signs or symptoms to
rear their ugly heads at an inopportune(sp?)time.

Perhaps I should just leave well enough alone, and if you feel
strongly in agreement with this, I would be anxious to hear why as
well.

Thanks for any and all input folks!
Warmly
Chris
 
Apr 28, 2000
691
This is an often asked question Chris. You'll find an excellent
article, cleverly entitled "Mast Beam", complete with drawings, in
the VORM. You can download it (pdf file) at

Aloha,

Chuck Rose
SV Lealea, V1860
HOnolulu

At 09:41 AM 12/15/2006, you wrote:
 
Oct 31, 2019
230
Steve, I searched the UK site and couldn't find the kit anywhere,
including the spares catalogue. Am I missing something obvious? Thanks,
Trev V2915 (Mystic Rose)

________________________________

From: AlbinVega@yahoogroups.com [mailto:AlbinVega@yahoogroups.com] On
Behalf Of Steve Birch
Sent: December 15, 2006 3:56 PM
To: AlbinVega@yahoogroups.com
Subject: RE: [AlbinVega] Mast Compression
Hi

There is a mast compression kit available in the UK made from Stainless
Steel. Have a look at www.albinvega.co.uk
Steve Birch (Technical)
 
Dec 13, 2006
227
Hi Chuck,

I actually dug that one up a few days ago. Some good info for sure, but I found the instructions to be a bit vague...the diagrams were OK, but a little confusing to me as well. Could be I am just a knucklehead...(no comments)! Anyway, I wanted to try to hide the work as best as I could....I like the arch that was described in the file...I would like to do something similar if I could only make heads and tails of the work described? I kind of got the gist, but I fear that there was just enough information to get me knee deep in a lot of trouble! grin

Chuck Rose chuck@... wrote:
This is an often asked question Chris. You'll find an excellent
article, cleverly entitled "Mast Beam", complete with drawings, in
the VORM. You can download it (pdf file) at

Aloha,

Chuck Rose
SV Lealea, V1860
HOnolulu

At 09:41 AM 12/15/2006, you wrote:
 
Dec 8, 2005
6
Hi Chris, I just did that work on my '77 Vega Delfini about 2 month
ago. Just like yours, I had no compression problem, but since the mast
was down for a refit and new standing and running rigging, I figured
that it was the best time to do it. I used a 1/4 inch thick marin
aluminum plate to make an insert. I pulled off the outer beam, the one
in the salon, used it as a template to trace out the shape. Cut it out
with a jigsaw, used a grinder to refine the shape and send it to a
smooth finish, Used SS screws to attach it to the beam on the inside,
then bolt it back in its original place. added to more bolts for added
susupport and replaced the SS bolts with silicon bronze. I am partial
to bronze on a traditional looking boat. I thought of sendwiching
aluminum plate on both sides, but find it unnecessary. 6061-T is the
designation of the alloy and it is for aircraft/marine use. If I recall
correctly a 10' x 8" plate (they only sold it in that length) cost me
about $80.00 US at a local metal supply store here in Norfolk,
Virginia. The whole process took me less then a day's. I took my time
to make it look good. I think its planty strong and very unobtrusive.
You have to look from under the beams at the passsage way to see it and
the original beam is only sticking out that quater inche. I hope it
helps if any question, don't hasitate to contact me
Vangelis (CaptV)
 
Nov 8, 2001
1,818
Sounds a good cure. Only thing I would wonder is the use of stainless
screws and bolts with teh aluminium and teh thickness at 1/4" The ones
I make started life as 10mm (3/8") aluminium but I changed this to 4mm
stainless plate. Harder to work with but a lot stronger and now
compatability problems between the fixings and the plate and spreader
strip.

Cheers

Steve Birch (Technical) - Vega Forum HYPERLINK
"Pro Movies 60"www.albinvega.proboards60.com
 
May 30, 2006
1,075
Chuck,
I tried clicking on a few of the pdf files and wasn't able to access them. I take it you have to join to get access?
thanks,
Roy
 
Apr 28, 2000
691
Depends Roy. The files on the "Voyages" page and the sample
newsletter on the "Newsletter" page are available to anyone, as is
the Vega Handbook in the "Info" drop-down. The "MemberShip" pages
with the VORM and Newsletter Archives in .pdf are password protected
so you would be prompted to enter the password for those pages.

I just now successfully opened all of the .pdf files in the public
access section with no problem from my computer at work.

Full Disclosure: I have state of the art equipment, the latest
software and a high speed internet connection at the office.

These are rather large files, especially the sample issue of "Fair
Winds", so if you have a dial-up connection you may have a
problem. Also, you will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to open the .pdf
files. (I assume that you know this but, just in case...) Acrobat
Reader is available as a free download from

I don't much like .pdf files for on-line reading but I had no choice
with this material. I am going to try to convert the .pdf files to
html for easier on-line reading but that will take some time. I'm
not even certain it can be done but there seems to be an option in
Acrobat 8.0 to save as html so I'm going to try it as soon as I have time.

I have been doing a lot of work on the website lately. I hope
everyone likes the new look and new content. More to come very soon.

Aloha,

Chuck Rose
SV Lealea, V1860
Honolulu

At 04:19 PM 12/20/2006, you wrote:
 
Dec 13, 2006
227
Hi Everyone!

Just wanted to announce the newest member to our crew:
"Elizabeth Shea Graham"
Born: December 20, 2006
7 lbs 2 oz. 19" long
She can't wait to go sailing in the Spring. A very calm baby, happy and healthy. Momma is doing fine!

Chris
#1865

__________________________________________________
Do You Yahoo!?
Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around
 
Nov 8, 2001
1,818
Hi Chris, congrats

Hope it wasnt a virgin birth!!! Or ou will have problems!

Well done to you,mum and baby elizabeth

Cheers

Steve Birch (Technical)
 

mphalv

.
Sep 29, 2001
195
Congratulations Chris, for the new baby and the new Vega! Perhaps we will
meet you somewhere along the coast of Maine.

Smooth Sailing,

Melanie & Paul Halvachs
V1826 Double Fantasy
Holden, Maine
 
Dec 13, 2006
227
Thanks to everyone for your well wishing and kind words of encouragement! This will truly be a special Holiday Season for us with this little peanut and future sailor! Now if only Santa would bring me a new Beta 13.5 Diesel!!!

Cheers Everyone and have a wonderful holiday
The Grahams
V1865 Ready About

MPHALV@... wrote:
Congratulations Chris, for the new baby and the new Vega! Perhaps we will
meet you somewhere along the coast of Maine.

Smooth Sailing,

Melanie & Paul Halvachs
V1826 Double Fantasy
Holden, Maine

__________________________________________________
Do You Yahoo!?
Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around
 
Nov 8, 2001
1,818
Hi Chris

Santa is here.... Just needs abit of persuading!!! Have a great festive
season for you and your family.

Cheers

Steve Birch (Technical)
 
Dec 13, 2006
227
LOL....persuasion in the form of...oh...say a check for @ $7000???
Happy Holidays Steve to you and yours
Chris

Steve Birch steve@... wrote:
Hi Chris

Santa is here.... Just needs abit of persuading!!! Have a great festive
season for you and your family.

Cheers

Steve Birch (Technical)
 
Dec 8, 2005
6
Hi Steve, Thanks for your note. Seems I left some info out of my
reply. I replaced the bolts with silicon bronze bolts, It is more
comperable to aluminium. the smaller SS screws were lubed with
lanocoat where it makes contact with the plate. In the relatively dry
interior that is sufficient for galvanic corrosion requires an
electrolyte (salt Water). As for the strength, Should it prove to be
ineduquate, I can repeat the process and add a second plate to
the "V" berth side as well. That would make it half inch thick paced
by the main bulkhead. Add to that the 2 one inch original beams that
were reinstalled. Again, I had no compression problem, thus it was
meant to be a reinforcement and preventive measure.Of coures as with
any solution and fix, time is really the measure of success. I will
report on it , though I think there are enough information on the
compression subject. I just felt compelled to put my 2 cents woth in.
Your concernes are valid though, that is the reason of extra care in
isolating the dissimilar metals.

Vangelis Lazaridis
 
Nov 8, 2001
1,818
Hi

Couldnt agree more. You have taken all the correct precautions for
dis-similar metals. Sounds a good solution to the well known Vega
problem. I am sure you will not need any further precautions.

Happy Christas and a great New Year

Try the Vega Forum: HYPERLINK
"Pro Movies 60"www.albinvega.proboards60.com

Cheers to all

Steve Birch (Technical)