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.

 

[Timm R Oday25]

I used a left over piece of aluminum from a threshold . The kind that covers the end of a carpet . I drilled and tapped the mast .
The gate itself looks very much like the one in your picture . Simple "L"bracket . .
I slotted the holes just enough so I can removed the slugs if I need to remove the sail . Otherwise I use 1/4-20" thumbscrews to hold it in place .
The slugs need to drop about another 7" below the gate in order for the mainsail to come down completely .
Very easy ...very cheap.. in the world of sailing ...very rare ..
I hope this helps

 

[yelkenli]

I used a left over piece of aluminum from a threshold .

Thanks. I saw a thread on that. I looked online for thresholds, and found many different sizes and shapes. Was there one in particular, or just find one that looks like it will fit?

Did you bend or otherwise form it?

 

[Timm R Oday25]

Yelkenli, I happened to have a left over piece . Almost any piece of aluminum will work . Aluminum is very easy to work with . Almost any tool you might use to work with wood will work . I didn't read the link before I posted . You can easily shape the piece to fit exactly how you need it .
I slotted mine so I don't have to remove it to let the slugs come out at season's end . I screw the gate back onto the mast so I know where it is next spring..

 

[Barnacle Bill]

Where your bolt is, drill a hole in the same area through the two sides of the track and insert a clevis pin, or detent pin, etc.

 

[LloydB]

Very easy ...very cheap.. in the world of sailing ...very rare ..

 

[yelkenli]

I made a mast gate cover out of aluminum. I bent it to the shape of the mast. I will now drill and tap two holes.

The curvature of the mast is such that it is fairly flat on the aft side, then a healthy curve, then a slight curve on the starboard side.

My question: should I worry about where to put the holes? Is there a keep out zone for holes on the mast?

If not, then I plan to put one closer to the gate probably on the most curved section of the mast, and one a bit more outboard or away from the gate.

 

[Foswick]

Near the top of the mast, there is very little concern about mast integrity with a few exceptions. You obviously need to stay away the tang attachment points on the sides. You probably know, but be aware of electrolysis prevention.

 

[yelkenli]

This is at the base of the mast where the sail feeds into the luff track, just above the boom.

 

[Foswick]

This is at the base of the mast where the sail feeds into the luff track, just above the boom.

Oh, I read too fast. But, better yet.

 

[Project_Mayhem]

You'll need to find out where the wire conduit and halyards are inside your mast so you don't accidentally drill through them. Keep clear of the luff track of course. Use a longer than necessary screw. My O'Day 25, which had a substantially smaller mast, hand ad a 1 or 1.25" screw. It was very nice as it accommodated the curve of the mast and since I never had to remove it completely, there was much lower risk of it falling into the water