Mast Gate Installation

azguy

azguy

.
Aug 23, 2012
337
Catalina 22 Lake Pleasant
I bought the Mast Gate from Catalina Direct and worked on it today. It had to be trim and shape to fit perfectly with the track. It's amazing what an hour and a file can accomplish :D:D

http://www.catalinadirect.com/index.cfm/product/1012/c-22-mastgater-sail-track-gate.cfm


However the kit came with bolts, a drill bit and tap to thread holes in the mast, really...:confused:

I'm sure this is suggested in case you are removing the boom a lot for trailer sailing, the hole from a simple sheet metal screw would get worn out with repeated use......... However I'm in a slip...

What's the consensus, can I just drill some holes and use stainless steel sheet metal screws or should I really tap threads in the mast :confused:
 
jimmcgee

jimmcgee

.
Feb 26, 2008
603
Catalina 30 Marathon, FL
It will only take a few extra minutes to do it right.

Crack another beer, put a little oil on the tap and you'll be done in no time. :D
 
caguy

caguy

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Sep 22, 2006
4,004
Catalina, Luger C-27, Adventure 30 Marina del Rey
If you are nervous about tapping, twist it clockwise 1/8th turn then back it up and break the chip then forward until you meet some resistance then back it up again. As mentioned use plenty of oil. Once you get them installed you will lose them. Very handy when reefing.
 
Gene Neill

Gene Neill

.
Sep 30, 2013
3,582
1988 Catalina 22 North Florida
My old C22 had sheet metal screws holding the gates. Who knows how long it had been that way, but it was working fine. Probably will work forever, until some future owner decides to dramatically over tighten the screws.

My "new" boat came with a pair of homemade gates, made from what appears to be an aluminum doorway threshold. Being trailer sailors, our gates have to come on and off with every sail, so I ordered some stainless 'thumb screws' to eliminate the need for a screwdriver. I went with 10-24 thread since that was what Catalina uses with their gates.

Thus, I'll be tapping mine. Just as soon as I get done polishing the hull. :)
 
Q

Q22

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Aug 18, 2013
46
Catalina 22 Bucks Lake
Mine has home made gates on it as well with 10-24 screws.I like the idea of thumb screws because they would be hard to over tighten.Where do you get something like that.
 
Snowman80

Snowman80

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Nov 28, 2012
148
Catalina 22 #442 Somerset, Ma
has anyone used the hinged ones from mastegates.com or just catalina direct ones?
 
C

CaptDon01

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Nov 19, 2008
2,129
Catalina C-22 MK-II Parrish, FL
I've not seen the mast gates Tom makes with the thin bundge cord attachment on a Catalina, but several of my Potter-Sailor friends have them and love them! Much better design than the Catalina Direct version, and no need to mess with screwing and un-screwing them all the time.

http://www.mastgates.com/

Tom's a nice "Trailer-Sailor" guy just trying to make a few extra bucks. Worth looking into.

Don
 
ShotgunSlim

ShotgunSlim

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Dec 5, 2011
552
Catalina Catalina 22 13632 Phenix City
I also installed the CD mast gates and trailer sail exclusively so I'm also in the thumb screw club for convenience. Drilling and tapping the mast is no big deal in my opinion once you get that first screw done. Like the advice above, use plenty of oil, back the tap out periodically to clear the chips and save the beer for afterward. PS: For ease of installation, I also used an electric engraving pen to mark my gate with a "port" and "starboard" designation on the inside.
 
azguy

azguy

.
Aug 23, 2012
337
Catalina 22 Lake Pleasant
Ok :)

I'll drill and tap....I'll post detailed pictures throughout the process for the next chicken sh*t guy, like myself :eek:

I'm ordering a new mainsail so once that arrives I'll do the mastgate....

Some sheet metal screws would be so much easier as they are not coming out until I need a new mainsail in 10 years...
 
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