This will be my first season sailing anything other than small centerboard day sailers. We bought an old Oday 25, and we're launching next week. In studying all the rig to make sure we've got everything set, I noticed that the hinged mast step plate fitting that fits into the base of the mast has the stripped ends of the screws that are supposed to secure the mast to it. I suspect the previous owner sailed it this way, with the stays and weight of the mast holding everything together. It occurs to me that this can't be a good idea. Am I right to assume that I should attempt to drill and tap these screw holes and install new screws? Anyone else had to do this? Any tips?
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Don Evans
Mine Are Permanently Attached Too 8>)
The culprit is SS screws into a aluminum mast. In other words they are all but welded in there due to dissimilar metals corrosion. I too have stripped heads where I once attempted to remove the lower mast end cap. Can't remember why I wanted to, but I gave up and moved onto some other repair. Unless you want to I don't think the screws and end cap are compromised by stripped SS heads. I suspect someday I'll want them out too, but not because I'm worried about their integrity. By the way, congrats on the boat. Don
The culprit is SS screws into a aluminum mast. In other words they are all but welded in there due to dissimilar metals corrosion. I too have stripped heads where I once attempted to remove the lower mast end cap. Can't remember why I wanted to, but I gave up and moved onto some other repair. Unless you want to I don't think the screws and end cap are compromised by stripped SS heads. I suspect someday I'll want them out too, but not because I'm worried about their integrity. By the way, congrats on the boat. Don
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Tim Gillespie
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Don Evans
Sorry Tim...
My mast is not permanently mounted. I think were miss-firing on our communication. I too have the problem of stripped SS screw heads in the mast step/mast end plate as you described. As I said I'm not concerned about this as far as strength of the screws. If and when I need to remove this end cap I too will drill them out and retap the holes. I will coat them with a no-seize coating. Hope this clears things up. Don
My mast is not permanently mounted. I think were miss-firing on our communication. I too have the problem of stripped SS screw heads in the mast step/mast end plate as you described. As I said I'm not concerned about this as far as strength of the screws. If and when I need to remove this end cap I too will drill them out and retap the holes. I will coat them with a no-seize coating. Hope this clears things up. Don
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Tim Gillespie
I think I get it
Thanks Don. Be patient. I'm new at these Oday 25's. The boat, as I received it, sits on its trailor with the mast tied down. The base plate, which is the culprit we're talking about, was still connected to the cabin top, not in the base of the mast. Screws are broken off in their holes, no heads. It seems that I should drill these screws out of the base and re-tap, then attach the base plate to the mast with new screws, as opposed to simply setting the mast over the post and holding it there with gravity, faith, and tension from the stays, which is what the previous owner did. This seems like a no-brainer, but I thought maybe this was a common problem and maybe I was concerned for no reason. I'm not looking forward to drilling stainless screw stubs out of an aluminum base.
Thanks Don. Be patient. I'm new at these Oday 25's. The boat, as I received it, sits on its trailor with the mast tied down. The base plate, which is the culprit we're talking about, was still connected to the cabin top, not in the base of the mast. Screws are broken off in their holes, no heads. It seems that I should drill these screws out of the base and re-tap, then attach the base plate to the mast with new screws, as opposed to simply setting the mast over the post and holding it there with gravity, faith, and tension from the stays, which is what the previous owner did. This seems like a no-brainer, but I thought maybe this was a common problem and maybe I was concerned for no reason. I'm not looking forward to drilling stainless screw stubs out of an aluminum base.
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Don Evans
No Tim, I Get It
There, we both are on track. I completely agree with you. I would reattach the mast base plate permanently to the mast with new SS machine screws. I don't think the mast is going anywhere once the stays are attached, but the ability to lower and raise the mast using the hinge feature would be lost with your present situation. Could you knock the stripped heads off with a sharp cold chisel, and drill out the rest with a carbide bit? Don
There, we both are on track. I completely agree with you. I would reattach the mast base plate permanently to the mast with new SS machine screws. I don't think the mast is going anywhere once the stays are attached, but the ability to lower and raise the mast using the hinge feature would be lost with your present situation. Could you knock the stripped heads off with a sharp cold chisel, and drill out the rest with a carbide bit? Don
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Ben Allen
Base Plate Inspection
Tim, I have the 26 model, which has the same hinged base plate as you and Don have. Since your mast is down and the current plate is off, for whatever reason, inspect it carefully. Mine was only 15 years old, and it broke from a slight tap of the hammer last year. It might be time to order a new one from Rudy at D & R Marine, (508) 644-3001, he has most O'Day parts that you will ever need. Ben Allen Montgomery, AL "Latte Dah" O 26
Tim, I have the 26 model, which has the same hinged base plate as you and Don have. Since your mast is down and the current plate is off, for whatever reason, inspect it carefully. Mine was only 15 years old, and it broke from a slight tap of the hammer last year. It might be time to order a new one from Rudy at D & R Marine, (508) 644-3001, he has most O'Day parts that you will ever need. Ben Allen Montgomery, AL "Latte Dah" O 26
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Tim Gillespie
All set
Thank you all for your input. My son and I finally tackled the beast and drilled out the old screws, tapped new 1/4" staintess and reattached the base plate. What was all the fuss about? We launched her on May 21st. Had a little trouble getting the centerboard down once up on the crane, but did manage, cleaned it up, painted, and she floated! Mast was stepped by yard with crane because they didn't want us taking up space at the dock raising it ourselves. Looking forward with great anticipation our first sail. Finding it amazingly difficult finding a simple dinghy to buy.
Thank you all for your input. My son and I finally tackled the beast and drilled out the old screws, tapped new 1/4" staintess and reattached the base plate. What was all the fuss about? We launched her on May 21st. Had a little trouble getting the centerboard down once up on the crane, but did manage, cleaned it up, painted, and she floated! Mast was stepped by yard with crane because they didn't want us taking up space at the dock raising it ourselves. Looking forward with great anticipation our first sail. Finding it amazingly difficult finding a simple dinghy to buy.
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