Mast support

Oct 30, 2019
4
I'd like to see descriptions of improvements to the mast support. Mine (my
mast support) seem to be sagging a bit.

--
V2148
 
Oct 30, 2019
36
This is a question for Steve Birch.

Steve...I bought some plugs for my Albin Ballad keel fitting a few months
ago (blind bilge plug). I have been unable to remove the plug from the
fitting, broke an easy-out in the process, and have resorted to removing the
entire fitting. Now that it is out I am looking into repairing the what's
left. However as I was getting quotes it occurred to me that I might be
able to purchase the entire fitting from you. Is this possible? And if so,
what will it cost and what kind of delivery can I expect? The boat is
supposed to go into the water around the 17th of May and I really afraid to
leave it until the last minuet. Last year I was late getting ready and
incurred an additional moving fee...Regards
Richard Pellegrino
S/V Prelude II
 
Nov 8, 2001
1,818
Hi Richard

I have one complete Bilge Drain left. They cost £25 and can be shipped to the
US in three/four days. Be quick as only the one left until I get hold of some
more bronze and my machinist... Payment if UK Pounds or US Dollars (Payable to
Diana Webb) and send to me at:

Steve Birch
8 Cockshot Road
Malvern
WOrcs WR14 2TT
U.K.

If you definetley want it then I will post it prior to receiving your cheque
but please dont let me down. Send your address for postage etc by email:

steve@...

Regards

Steve B

At 16:27 28/04/03 -0400, you wrote:
 
Nov 8, 2001
1,818
Hi

There is a Mast Support kit available. Nothing clever but very effective.
Takes
about a day to fit with mast up or down. Complete kit costs about £95 plus
carriage. Full instructions, photos and members installation write-up.

For further details email me at:

steve@...

Regards Steve Birch (Vega launched but forgot to bring my sails.....)

At 22:25 28/04/03 +0200, you wrote:
 
Oct 30, 2019
77
I don't supose anyone would have a digital photo of one of these
mast repairs fitted in place? I'm having trouble visualizing where
it goes and what it looks like.

I don't think I have that problem yet but noticed a small drip
making it's way into the interior under the mast. I don't know
where it's coming from, but I'm concerned that, if it has been
hapening for a while it may be weakening the wood mast support. Is
sounds like it's already a weak point.

Also, anyone have any advice for tracking down this mast leak and
fixing it?
 
Oct 30, 2019
61
Hi-

Yes, I found the same on my boat. The water was getting in around the
outside of the metal sleeve/pipe that passes through the deck. I took an
angle grinder to the spot and found a hollow in the lay-up. Once the top
layer was well open I used West Marine's equivalent of Marine Tex to fill it
back up. This product will flow as the epoxy kicks and warms up and filled
in the gap pretty well. No more leaks.

Dave V2917
 
May 1, 2007
127
Dear Vega Sailor,

I had the same trouble with mast leaks during many years.

Firstly, I connected a toilet socket on the mast foot and had the wiring
throu this narrow opening. I helped, but the rubber toilet socket started
to corrode.

Then I did what most Vega Sailor do in The Netherlands, I made holes in the
side of the mast and
the electric wiring now come out of the mast into fitting outside the mast.
Its not so pretty , but very effective.
Of course I closed the mast opening totally, so that no more water come
trough any more.

I hope my english is clear enough. Good luck!

Regards,
Henk Jansen
Le Cygne V 1782
 
Dec 18, 2001
31
Given decent weather conditions I will be fitting the mast support system as supplied by out illustrious friend Steve Birch, this weekend.
Will post some photographs when complete.

Regards,
Frank Fowler, "Alkira", Liverpool.
 
Apr 28, 2000
691
Hi,

What's in the kit?

It seems I will have to replace the beam because it is sagging rather much
between the posts. The bulkhead itself is probably okay.

Regards

Bue Jensen
 

mocap1

.
Oct 31, 2019
96
The beam on my boat, which appeared to be made of mahogony,acually cracked.
I didn't know about Steve's kit, so I replaced it with one made of White
Oak, which is considerably stronger, and I made it 1/4" thicker. Removing
the old beam was easier than I thought it would be; it took less than two
hours. I cut the new beam to match the contour of the old one, which was a
mistake because the cabin roof had sagged.It took quite a bit of fitting to
get the beam to match the roof. It wouold have ben much easier to scribe the
stock for the beam to match the roof rather than using the old beam as a
guide.

Mort