I need information to help me replace the mast foot plate on my Hunter 23.5. Mine seems to be pop riveted to the mast, do I need to pop rivet the new one?? What size rivets?? Stainless steel or aluminum?? Thanks in advance. K.C.
Some have used either aluminum or stainless steel pop rivets. The stainless steel pop rivets are stronger but are dissimilar metals that over time will react to one another. The aluminum pop rivets are not as strong but will not corrode. Hopefully you will be able the existing holes but if need be, you may have to drill new ones. If using the larger pop rivets or stainless steel, you may want to get the heavy duty pop rivet gun for that purpose which is a commercial grade.
I drilled and tapped the mast and used 1/4" stainless screws. We only sail in fresh water so I am not worried about the dissimilar metals. Drilling and tapping was easier, I thought. If you ever have to remove it for wiring issues or something else, that makes it easier. I did have to unscrew them to push a natural sponge up to the spreaders to cut down on the annoying wire banging in the mast. That didn't stop it, but it did reduce the noise.
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