I am having the standing rigging replaced on my 30+ yr old 26. When they stepped the mast, the fellow doing the work told me "The mast step (on deck) is severally corroded. Both bolts are gone. It should be pulled up, rebedded etc." I have no idea how to go about doing this or how much it would cost to have someone do it. Any insights or suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks, Brian
Mast Step Redecking
- Thread starter bcwave
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mast step
this is not that uncommon for a 30 year old alumunum mast step that has been in a salt water atmosphere. recently an acquaintence had one replaced. He got a machine shop to make him a new one for a 40 year old ensign. You might have some luck at d&r marime assonet ma If not you will have to take the old step to a machine shop and get a new one fabricated preferably out of stainless steel. I know a good honest shop Lynn MA that would make one out of stainless for under $100 but they would need the old step for a template. If interested email me bffatcat@yahoo.com As far as doing the job goes the step in bolted through a steel grid in the deck that holds the mast weight. and through bolted through the cabin roof. then fiberglassed over and plainted. If you have no experience with this kind of work and dont have a friend that does you will have to have a boat yard do it. The first thing you should do it Its not that big a deal probably 3-4 hours labor once you supply the step. Depending on the yard of course and how much integrity they have You can probably save some money by skipping the fiberglass finish work and just glue a piece of wood over the exposed hole and paint it Good Luck Bob Fox 1975 P26w #74 whitecap Marblehead MA
this is not that uncommon for a 30 year old alumunum mast step that has been in a salt water atmosphere. recently an acquaintence had one replaced. He got a machine shop to make him a new one for a 40 year old ensign. You might have some luck at d&r marime assonet ma If not you will have to take the old step to a machine shop and get a new one fabricated preferably out of stainless steel. I know a good honest shop Lynn MA that would make one out of stainless for under $100 but they would need the old step for a template. If interested email me bffatcat@yahoo.com As far as doing the job goes the step in bolted through a steel grid in the deck that holds the mast weight. and through bolted through the cabin roof. then fiberglassed over and plainted. If you have no experience with this kind of work and dont have a friend that does you will have to have a boat yard do it. The first thing you should do it Its not that big a deal probably 3-4 hours labor once you supply the step. Depending on the yard of course and how much integrity they have You can probably save some money by skipping the fiberglass finish work and just glue a piece of wood over the exposed hole and paint it Good Luck Bob Fox 1975 P26w #74 whitecap Marblehead MA
A word of caution.......aluminum + steel = galvanic corrosion....am in midst of remasting on account of this type of contact....If your mast step is corroded...you should also inspect the bottom of your mast to ensure that you are not replacing a corroded and weakened mast over the new step..... God hope that yours is somehow ok.....if not must be sleeved, cut, or replaced to avoid dismasting...The time to do this is while ur mast is unstepped.....now...and the step must be of a material which will not react galvanically with your mast.....
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