O'Day 28: Keel Step Rebuild

[Apex]

O'Day 28: Mast Step Rebuild - Keel stepped

Anyone ever tackled this job? We noticed the coachroof is pulled down some, and the plywood within the mast step (keel bridge?) was a goner. I pulled out the rotten and have some G10 to use in it's place. The tangs mounted to the mast from the coachroof were missing when I bought the boat....I presume that pulled the coachroof down with the mast.

Looking for pictures of the bilge, keel step, mast partners of sister 28's for comparison. Thanks.

 

[Apex]

Rebuild is nearly complete, but don't have all the info on how it is "supposed to " work. There were essentially two unique positions in the old step, I will come back to that shortly. The mouting holes in the step plate were slotted, I presume to allow mast rake adjustment. The panting rod goes through the step plate and has no slot for adjustment, a simple through hole. Back to the step then: It is mounted to the bilge turn, not the keel. I would surmise to keep from blasting theencapsulated keel apart. The step had two distinct mouting locations for the step plate: including the four mounting holes and the panting rod through hole. The rod has a large flange on the underside of the mast step, comes through the step, through the step plate and up to the mast partner.

Is the step supposed to move/adjust fore/aft? If so, should the step have a slotted hole for the panting rod, so it can move with the step plate, or should the step plate have a slot for the panting rod to allow it to remain fixed while the step plate slides fore/aft?

 

[njlarry]

Looks like you have had a busy spring. Hope you never had to rebuild the steering sysstem as we did this spring.
Do you have anypictures?
I checked my manual. The rake is set at the factory but the mainsail halyard should hang plumb 7 inches aft of the mast on the 28. It does not specify where so I assume at the manisail tack. I can fax the pages to you if you need them.
Hopefully we can both enjoy some sailing the rest of the season.

 

[Apex]

Thanks NJ. I didn't get any pictures during the build, too busy building I guess.....
The info you provided is INVALUABLE!

Mast is ALMOST ready to install, after replacing:
masthead sheaves and axles
ran four internal halyards, one external spin halyard, and one external spin pole topping lift.
mast exit plates (incl. cutting NEW hole for 4th.)
new forestay
rebuilt furler sections (new rivets)
LED anchor light
wiring to anchor
vhf antenna
RG213 wiring to antenna
windex
new steaming/deck light combo
wiring to steaming light
spreader blocks
spreader boots
mast boot
g10 coring in mast step
painted masthead, spreaders, boom endcap, boom gooseneck fitting

also ground out and refaired front edge of keel (hairline crack from PO repair)
polish compounded the hull, wax


...maybe that is why the poor boat still doesn't have it's stick vertical, phew: