spreader sockets

[charles]

I am re-furbishing my mast and have a question regarding replacement of the spreader sockets. I have unbolted the lower bolt on the spreader sockets (same bolt that holds the lower shroud tangs). However, the bolt does not want to come out. The bolt is free and spinning, but acts as if there is a "collar" on the inside preventing it from sliding out. I am fearful of knocking it out as I am aware there is a compression device in there too. Does anyone know anything about this? Can I simply "pound it" out of there? This is a 1977 C-27 standard rig. The mast is the "flat" version typically found on '78 or older boats.

 

[Peter]

My recollection

from when I replaced the sockets on my '74 (14 years ago, so my memory might be foggy), was that my compression post (aluminum) had fused with corrosion to the stainless bolt. That would prevent the bolt from sliding out. Can't remember, though, what I did to solve the issue in my mast's rehab. It's been too long...

 

[Ray]

Mast overhaul

Charles,I did the same job last year and ended up cutting off the head of the bolt recovering it out the end of the mast. You are correct in that there is a sleeve on the bolt. Any hammering on the bolt will only distort the mast. When reinstalling the sleeve I used a long piece of pvc pipe with a T-fitting glued on the end and fed it up from the bottom and it worked perfectly. good luck-Ray

 

[thedarc]

A common mast repair

I used to work as a yacht rigger and so I've done compression sleave removal and replacement a number of times. The stainless bolt is inside an aluminum sleave. The sleave should be the same diameter as the hole in the mast that it's slid into. But as the aluminum sleave and the stainless bolt react together and corrode, the sleave siezes in the mast with expansion. I've usually cut the head off and hammered it out of the mast, but Ray is correct, if you're not carefull, you can damage the mast. When you install the new bolt/sleave use a sleave that's the same outer diameter as the hole and exactly the same length as the width of the mast. This way when you tighten the bolts the compression force goes through the sleave, not the sides of the mast. And don't try to use a stainless steel sleave, as it you may never be able to get it out if you ever want to in the future.I hope that helps you out.