Mast track mounting in cabin?

[gundaddy]

I’d like to mount an oil lamp inside the cabin. The area in the vicinity of the mast is my preferred location for light distribution and minimizing shadows. Since I have a keel-stepped mast, it seems like I should be able to get some additional use out of this “intrusion” into the cabin space. I’d prefer not to drill more holes in the bulkhead. I also like the idea of getting the lamp a bit further from combustible materials (the bulkhead). Additionally, it would be nice if the lamp mount were removable.

I’m thinking (there’s that problem again ) that I could enlarge the mast track opening in the cabin, similar to the enlarged area near the gooseneck used to feed the sail slugs into the track. I could then fabricate a holder out of sail slugs or other improvised parts.

Is there anything to advise against enlarging the mast track opening?
Thanks in advance!

 

[DougM]

If the mast is exposed in the cabin, why not use an extra length hose clamp or two to connect a holder for the lamp to the mast. Make a sort of gasket material out of an old inner tube to help distribute the clamping force and to prevent any unnecessary scratching. When and if you have to pull the mast, the bracket can be easily removed..

Another choice might simply be to create a bracket that can be secured by driving a couple of sheet metal screws into the track extrusion.

 

[gundaddy]

Thanks, Doug.

The Admiral vetoed the hose clamp idea, hence my search for alternatives. I like your idea of sheet metal screws into the track. Simple, and I could be done with it. However, the more I looked at the mast, the more I thought of other things I could mount on it, kinda like a Picatinny rail. Opens the door to all kinds of mounting of things you'd like to have close at hand.

 

[alexco38]

There is no need to enlarge the opening.

I found a length of SS flat the same wudth of the sail slug. Drill and tap a series of 1/4 X 20 holes. When the mast was unstep for the winter, i slip this flat into the track and plug the end wuth a short piece of cut up rubber hose.

The flat slides up and down to whatever height i want. A short 1/4 bolt will hold it in place. The rest of the holes can be used to mount all kind of things. Very strong and able to hole a lot of weight.

No cutting or drilling of the mast. Easy to remove for winter unstepping.

You can make 2 or 3 of this flat for different heights.

 

[gundaddy]

Hmmm...I've not had the mast down yet, but I may still be able to use your idea. I'll have to see how difficult it would be to put some short pieces of drilled/tapped stainless into the existing slot and push them down through the deck/partners. Thanks!

 

[Delezynski]

We have a compression post in the cabin below the mast. But it's the same idea. We have a bronze 2 part holder that goes around the post that our lamp hangs on.

Sorry I don't have a close up of the clamp just now but can get one today if you are interested. It can be removed if desired, but sure looks good in place.

Here is a couple photos in general. They were taken by Good Old Boat mag showing our table.

Greg

 

[gundaddy]

Very interesting! That would solve 2 problems at once for me. We currently sail around without the OEM table installed because it gets in the way, even when folded down. Just need something like you've got for size. Thanks much!

 

[Delezynski]

gundaddy,

Was just at the boat and took 2 better photos of the lamp holder.

The table in the other photos was a "test" table. I cut it out of some old wood I had left over for a project. I attached it and we lived with it for a week. Jill then said, "to big". So I cut it down a bit and tried once more. After a few weeks it was what we wanted and I made one of Teak to the size we liked, the one in these photos.

Sorry the lamp strp and holder are not polished up, but you get the idea. We like this holder as it allows us to just grab the lamp for use in the cockpit.

Hope it helps!
Greg

 

[Ron20324]

...We like this holder as it allows us to just grab the lamp for use in the cockpit....

The lamp bracket around the mast looks like a pipe hanger -where the threaded part goes upwards via a threaded rod- to hold up to a truss? Maybe be found in a number of sizes.

 

[gundaddy]

Sure does! Perfect application. I like the brass finials as a finishing touch.
=P

 

[Doc_holiday]

Not much help here but that sure is a pretty interior. Vey nice looking

 

[Delezynski]

Doc_holiday,

THANKS!

 

[Doc_holiday]

I have a macgregor and I love the boat but the white fiberglass interior is so sanitized and has no character. I'm working on it tho!