mast plate

[Chris A.]

I am in the process of installing the "lines led aft" modification from the Catalina Direct catalog. During this process the lag bolt that screws down the mast plate has begun to strip. I have a new lag bolt (1/2 " longer) to install with a West systems epoxy kit. My question is: After I drill the hole out and fill it with the epoxy, do I screw the lag bolt in with the epoxy wet or dried? Has any one else had to deal with this?Thanks for any help you all can provide.Chris

 

[Brian]

The Book

West Systems publishes a book on the use of their expoxy products for restoration tasks on wooden boats. The book is only a couple of dollars and covers the "embedding" technique you mention. I would recommend this book with no reservation, it has taught me plenty.

 

[Scott]

Did the same thing

Chris,Did the same thing a couple of years ago during the winter haul out. Pulled the old plate up - good sanding to get up the old sealants, debris, and the like. Got a bigger, longer bolt. Put the epoxy in, and then the bolt right away. The epoxy sets up relatively quickly and you have filled the hole at the same time you've effectively "glued" the bolt in. I would recommend a rehearsal - once you start mixing things, time has a habit of becoming very unfriendly. I would also recommend a good sealant, one that can be removed later on (i.e. not permanent) around the base of the plate just to keep water out or leaking into the cabin over time. I have yet to buy the rest of the "lines led aft" kit (my old tabernacle was the old 1979 aluminum original that just needed replacing). Am looking at doing it this winter - post your results! I would be interested in lessons learned.SJK SENDS

 

[Art]

I wouldn't epoxy it in!!

I have done the same thing on my boat. I got a hold of one of the Catalina direct videos that showed several upgrades and they recomend drilling out the hole, filling it with epoxy, redrilling the hole the propper size, and then replacing the bolt. I think this is a good idea for several reasons: If you epoxy the blt in and need to remove it for any reason you can't!!!What if something under the plate begins to leak. How will you gain access?This is just my 2 cents but I would rather be able to get the bolt out.Art <)))><

 

[Dick of Sylvan]

Let Epoxy Harden, Redrill

I agree with Art and did it his way several years ago on my 75 C22. Works fine ever since. One trick in filling the old hole with epoxy is to have a nail or chopstick or something, to poke up and down into the epoxy in the hole to help get the bubbles out before it hardens. Dick