Mast Step Problem

[MsEclectic]

I was given an Ocean Yachts Islands 17. The mast plate is missing. Searching for one that resembles the specs has proven fruitless. The specs are also not detailed enough to indicate exactly how it attaches to the mast. There is also a chance the tongue on the bottom of the mast is damaged but without having seen how it is supposed to be, I can't know for sure. Obviously, if I can't step the mast, this boat is useless to me. So, I am hoping to find someone who has the same boat who would be willing to take pix of the bottom of the mast with and without the base plate. We can fabricate the plate if we knew what it should look like, how it should attach to the mast and whether or not the mast base is as it should be. Ideally, of course, I'd purchase the plate if I could find one.
I am new to sailing and not very familiar with the online community, so if you'd also be willing to spread the word, it would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks.

 

[Ted]

You should take some photos of the bottom of the mast and provide us with some overall dimensions. We may be able to identify the spar manufacturer and point you in the right direction.

 

[MsEclectic]

 

[MsEclectic]

 

[MsEclectic]

 

[MsEclectic]

 

[MsEclectic]

 

[Ted]

Check out www.Dwyermast.com and www.Rigrite.com They both carry mast extrusions with similar profiles. Once you have identified the profile, finding a mast step should be easier. It may not be identical to your original but it will be compatible with your mast. Keep us posted.

 

[MsEclectic]

The tongue on the bottom of the mast measures 5/8" X 2 1/4".
The mast step is as follows:
Length 4 3/16"
Width outside 3/4"
Width inside 5/8"
Depth inside 5/8"

outside depth is difficult to measure due to caulking

 

[MsEclectic]

Check out www.Dwyermast.com and www.Rigrite.com They both carry mast extrusions with similar profiles. Oned you have identified the profile, finding a mast step should be easier. It may not be identical to you original be it will be compatible with your mast. Keep us posted.

I will check it. Just for clarification, the mast step is intact. It is the mast base that hinges with the step that is missing.

In looking at the Dwyer site, it appears they are using different terminology than the spec sheet I have for the boat. The specs call the hardware that is attached to the boat, the mast step, and the hinged piece is called the mast base. It does not specify what the "plug" end with the tongue is called. Dwyer is calling that end, the mast step.

 

[Ted]

Am I correctly assuming that the step is not on the deck but inside the boat at the bilge? The photo looks like it is mounted inside the boat not on the deck.

 

[MsEclectic]

Am I correctly assuming that the step is not on the deck but inside the boat at the bilge? The photo looks like it is mounted inside the boat not on the deck.

It is on the deck

 

[MsEclectic]

another pic of the mast step. It is on the deck in front of the centerboard.

 

[Ted]

I think you are wrong. From the pictures, it looks like the step is mounted in the bilge area and not on the deck. The deck looks like it has a cut out portion where mast would fit into. That deck cut out is shown in your previous photo at the very top. My guess is that the manufacturer changed their detail of the mast step and did not intend for it to be hinged as per the drawings. The drawing shows a typical deck stepped hinged tabernacle arrangement. It looks like your setup is designed for the tongue of the mast base to just fit inside the mast step base. The pin was probably used to prevent the mast base from moving forward or aft. The forward pin is missing though. The centerboard trunk looks like it will be in the way of using a typical hinged step setup. There doesn't appear to be any holes in the mast base to indicate that a part is missing or that a pin should go through the tongue to act as a pivot. Can you confirm that there is no hole in the tongue? If there is a hole in the aft end of tongue, that may be the pivot point where the aft pin would go through.

 

[onecoolair]

another pic of the mast step. It is on the deck in front of the centerboard.

Then what's the slot in the deck for? Looks like the mast step is on the hull in front of center board trunk then mast comes up thru the deck between the vee slot in the deck.

 

[Ted]

The other thing that doesn't make sense it that the centerboard control line is being lead directly through where the mast would be once it is in place. Very odd.

 

[MsEclectic]

I think you are wrong. From the pictures, it looks like the step is mounted in the bilge area and not on the deck. The deck looks like it has a cut out portion where mast would fit into. That deck cut out is shown in your previous photo at the very top. My guess is that the manufacturer changed their detail of the mast step and did not intend for it to be hinged as per the drawings. The drawing shows a typical deck stepped hinged tabernacle arrangement. It looks like your setup is designed for the tongue of the mast base to just fit inside the mast step base. The pin was probably used to prevent the mast base from moving forward or aft. The forward pin is missing though. The centerboard trunk looks like it will be in the way of using a typical hinged step setup. There doesn't appear to be any holes in the mast base to indicate that a part is missing or that a pin should go through the tongue to act as a pivot. Can you confirm that there is no hole in the tongue? If there is a hole in the aft end of tongue, that may be the pivot point where the aft pin would go through.

Thanks for the correction and the insights. There is no hole in the mast tongue.

 

[MsEclectic]

ok .... so I think the pieces have all come together.

My boat was made by Ocean Yachts. They were bought out by Sumner Yachts. I was under the impression that they continued making the boat, "as is". The specs I got online are from Sumner and not OY. Apparently, the OY model did not have a hinged mast step setup, which the Sumner specs indicated it had. So, Sumner did indeed change the boat. The model I have is merely a mast step and the pins were used to center the mast tongue and keep it from sliding fore and aft.
I had wondered how a hinged setup would work, anyway, since the centerboard console would be in the way of raising the mast in this way. Someone else also pointed this out.

Thanks for all your help!

 

[Joe]

First of all, the length of the standing rigging will tell you whether the mast is stepped on deck or down below on the keel.

Second......... perhaps you could post a wider view of the boat's mast area.... the close ups don't give an overall picture....

Finally......if the mast bottom's tang fits into the channel of the existing piece in the bottom of the boat, then you can just mount the mast on that, and insert another bolt to keep the bottom from sliding. The mast will not lift up if you have the shrouds attached. Just follow the instructions with the tang inserted in the plate channel... and start tilting it up.....you may have to block the forward side of the tang to keep it from sliding when you first start the lift.

All that said... the bottom plate appears to be a simple shroud adjuster...which means you could purchase another as a top piece, attaching it to the mast is the dilemma though.

Uh... oh... I just read Ted's post.... I agree with him..completely.

 

[Tom G P-21]

You might try the Tanzer 16 people/forum. It looks like your boat it a is a slight variation on it and both designed by Tanzer. They might have more info on how to step the mast and parts.