Missing fitting on mast??

[guidera48]

Getting ready to spray the mast.
Prepping and sanding the mast I found a location about 3ft above the mast winches, facing forward, were a fitting had been attached. All I find are 2 broken screw still in the extrusion. Does anyone knows if there is anything normally attached at that location?? Screws were about 3" apart, one on top of the other.

I have sanded them flush, but can drill them out and retap if I need them.
Thanks

 

[Ed Schenck]

It could have been a ring for a whisker pole. But three feet above the winches seems low to me. Here's a picture of my pole ring in relation to the cleat for the yankee halyard. I don't have a pic showing the winches and the ring.

 

[Bill1565]

I'm still inside, but I'd bet on the spinnaker pole ring. I would guess the ring at 5 feet above the deck

 

[Ed Schenck]

Three feet above the winches would be about five feet I think. But I know the clew of my yankee is higher than that. I am over six feet and I have to reach up to snap on the whisker pole. A spinnaker pole would be lower however.

I'm jealous that you are about to spray your mast. I started sanding on mine last week. No way working alone with the mast laying across four barrels could I ever paint the whole thing. I know this because I just did the little staysail boom with Epoxy Primer. Made a total mess because I did not get it thinned properly. I have sanded for a few hours and not half done getting it ready for a second coat. I'll feather all the bare spots on the mast and touchup as best I can.

 

[Bill1565]

Three feet above the winches would be about five feet I think. But I know the clew of my yankee is higher than that. I am over six feet and I have to reach up to snap on the whisker pole. A spinnaker pole would be lower however..

My boat didn't come with a pole, and my clew is lower, but I'm sure you are right. Those who fly symmetrical chutes want every square foot of nylon they can get.

 

[Blaise]

You really want a ring that is adjustable vertically to fly a chute. I think Ed is right about it being a fixed ring for a whisker pole. That fact that the screws are only three inches apart and they are sheared, indicate it was way undersized. I have broken 7 whisker poles in the last three years using the biggest stuf I could find, but the ring on the track has never let go. The ring is 9/16ths steel and the track is double bolted to the mast.

 

[guidera48]

Thank you for your sudgestions. I will do without for the time been and will add the fitting later on. I have primed my booms yesterday but I could not get to the mast as we have the daily thunderstorm about 2 pm on sat and sun. This next week looks like rain also every afternoon. I decided to pre install all my instruments and drill and tap all the holes. I am using 1/4 hex head screws on all fittings and taking pictures so I can document what's up there. So one day, if I have to go up there, on a chair, I know what to expect. Hate to mix phillips head screws, flat heads and hex heads. You never have the right tool with you.

 

[guidera48]

I had to do a job in Georgetown,SC today and I made a trip to the waterfront before I left. There I found a 79-80 37C in sad condition. I did spend some time looking at it and I did notice that the stay sail boom was attached to the mast with a short wire instead of a topping lift. Could that missing fitting on my mast I asked about at the beginning of this post be an eye strap to hang the boom on??

 

[Ed Schenck]

If it was used for a short pendant to suspend the staysail boom I think it was a PO addition. My '79 originally had a topping lift that connected just below the staysail halyard. Now I use the whisker pole ring.

 

[Jim Legere]

On my 1983 H37C, I have no fittings or rings whatsoever on the front of the mast for at least 10' above deck. I have a cruising spinnaker or gennaker, so no need for a pole ring.

And as for topping lifts or pendants for the staysail boom? I use the staysail halyard as a topping lift (of course the 1983 and later models have that little SS rail or horse over the dorade vents for the staysail boom, so its not on the deck when the sail is lowered...)

 

[guidera48]

Thanks for your imput. I did go by thr water front again and got closer to the boat. It had a line looped from the starboard winch to the stay boom end to suport it. I guess I can use the halyard as you do since the sail is in a cover.
Thanks