Mast gate and repairs for C27

[yelkenli]

Picking up on threads like this one, slug keeper, poor mans, and others,

I would like to have the gate to make reefing simple.

The previous owner purchased the C27 mast gate, which is a very small piece of metal with two holes. I found it in a cabin drawer, because the holes in the mast are wallowed/stripped out.

The damaged holes are in the raised track, with what appears to be some drill bit penetration on the mast body. But, that does not appear to be very large diameter - not sure of the depth. I am thinking those were put there when drilling the raised track.

On the bottom of the gate, maybe someone tried to weld repair? Not sure - see second picture. Is a repair to the hole(s) possible?

I was thinking of finding longer bolts and extending the hole into the body of the mast. Is this advisable? I assume I need to tap the hole, and find the right bolts.

Are there better ways?

 

[dlochner]

For a smaller boat like yours, take a look adding jacklines to the lower slugs which will eliminate the need to open the gate until the sail is taken down. When using a jackline the slugs are not attached to the sail, rather a continuous line is used to keep the sail close to the track. The only sail modification needed is to add a second grommet to the sail at each lower grommet.

To keep everything in the track, there are track stops with thumb screws. Like this one from Defender.

https://defender.com/en_us/davis-instruments-sail-track-stop

A picture is worth 1000 words, this link has a drawing of the method I'm describing. Any decent sailmaker can make the modifications and demonstrate the system.

http://www.blumhorst.com/potterpages/Photopoint/mastgates-jacklines/jackline21.jpg

 

[Calif. Ted]

tap the holes for slightly larger screws or fill holes with JB weld, drill and tap for original screws. This is common in my experience, I think people try to overtighten not realizing it is just threads in thin metal and it just needs to hold the gate in place.