Hello, my name is Patrick from Buenos Aires, Argentina.
The mast is stepped on deck, and i notice that the base of the mast is erected at the stern (see photos). "Foto sacada desde proa/popa" = "Picture taken from the bow/stern"
Currently, the mast rake is about 15 cm aft.
¿How I can fix the inclination of the base of the mast? My intention is to become firm, and then correct the mast rake.
In this type of boat, which is the mast rake size? 5% maybe?
It is possible that the base of the mast has this rotten wood, and this is causing the problem?
Please, I need help. I'll be very grateful for your suggestions or comments, as in Argentina is almost impossible to get information on this ship.
There are only two S2 8.5 in Buenos Aires!
Attached some pictures that help you understand my idea, if my English is not so good!
https://picasaweb.google.com/111704586366554484500/MastilMast
THANK YOU!!!!
Buenos dias Patrick:
I have a 1982 S2 8.5, Hull No. 088. Your mast step plate is different than mine. Mine has a similar step plate, but the attachement at the base of the mast is different. My mast sits flat and square on a base that fits about 1.25 cm up the inside shape of the mast. I'll send some pictures in a day or two. I have some at home and may have to take a few more. Yours seems to have a base with a slot that sits on top of an angle piece on top of the mast step. It almost looks like the base can rock back and forth with mast rake. I can't tell how the base is fixed to the angle or step plate to keep it in place.
I've also never measured the rake of my mast. I'll do that too and let you know what I find.
However, mast rake is genreally determined by the rigging. If mast is raked back 15 cm, shorten forestay to where mast is of desired rake.
My forestay has no adjustment. It is exactly the length specified in the owners manual - 37 feet, 7 3/4 inches, center of top pin to center of bottom pin (changed headstay last year when changing roller furling). Any tension adjustment on the forestay is done through adjusting the back stay
Regarding rotten wood, if the deck core is rotten, the step plate could get out of level and sink on one side or corner. If the post or bulkhead under the mast step is rotting, the deck around the step plate would start to flatten or become concave. That should be visible, but I see no sign of that iny our pictures.
To check for the deck shifting, look inside the cabin:
- are the bolts at the top of the main bulkhead pulling into the bulkhead. Look closely at the washers under the bolt heads. Is the top pressed into the bulhead and the bottom flat on the surface? If so, weight on the end of that bolt is pressing it down on the nut end.
- does the head door open and close properly, or does it bind.
- look at the trim piece against the ceiling above the head door. Has it dropped any at either end. Is it square to the door opening? It may be obvious under the ast where that trim piece attaches to the compression post under the mast. (It may not be a true compression post. It looks like trim pieces on the front and back of the main bulkhead. That bulkhead and trim pieces serve as the compression post.
- look at the floor where the post goes into the floor. Does the looklike its pressed down near the edge along the bulkhead?? If so, it may be that the bulkhead is moving and taking the floor with it.
- do you have a bilge access hole. If so you might be able to get a camera under there and take some pictures. I'll send some that I took.
Well, there's a start of what to look for. Let me know what you find.
Good luck.
Bron Taoras
S2 8.5 #088
Rocky River, Ohio, USA
Fell free to email me directly:
taorasbk@aol.com
