Does anyone have a suggestion on how to step a mast on our newly purchased older ODay 17 ft sailboat? Also, another question: our center board does not move freely, any suggestions?
stepping the mast
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Do you know what year your Day Sailer is? The Centerboard on the DS I (1959-70) was lever-operated, the DS II (1971-85) and the DS III (1985-89) were line-operated. I have a 1979 DS II with the line-operated CB and used to have a 1969 Widgeon (12' O'Day) that had the lever-operated CB, so can answer for both types.
Does your boat have the (optional 1959-81, standard 1982 and newer) hinged mast step? or the original stepped thru-the cuddy top mast? My mast is the stepped thru the cuddy top version and I have found that launching the boat first, then stepping the mast from an elevated pier with the boat tied alongside works best for me, not ideal....but it works. If launching often off the trailer, is there a beach near the ramp that you can bring the boat to? If so, I have stepped/unstepped a few times by bringing the sten of the boat onto the beach to stabilizie things, then place the butt of the mast at the forward end of the cockpit (pad area with a sponge or rag), then walk mast up the vertical and while standing on hte top of the cuddy, lift mast up while keeping it vertical and lower into hole in deck until mast seats on the step. Again, not the easiest thing, but it does help if a second person can crawl in boat and guide hte mast onto the step.
I read about someone who would hook bungy cords to each shroud (and another on forestay?) to help steady the mast as he lifted it up to drop into the hole, I haven't tried that yet.....so far so good.....but have thought about it! Another owner (actually...quite a few!) built a 3-leg tripod out of aluminum tubing (conduit) about 10' high. He used a block and tackle attached at the apex to lift the mast up using a strap around the mast maybe 1/2 way up and then just lifted the mast, and lowered it down thru the deck and onto the step. That could be done on the trailer most likely! Unfortunately.....I don't have any pictures or diagrams handy!
Here is the instructions from the DS II owners Manual for stepping hte mast, DS I would be similar.
"Stepping the Mast
We recommend that you get assistance in stepping the mast until you are familiar with the stepping procedure. A tabernacle is a great help as it permits easy one person stepping (optional 1971-80, standard 1981-1985). This is a slotted mast and the slot side faces the stern when in position to be stepped.
If your boat is equipped with a tabernacle, see “Stepping hinged Mast” below.
The mast is stepped through an opening in the deck – be sure the base of the mast is properly seated on the mast step. Once accomplished, the mast will stay in place.
Now fasten the sidestays to the chainplates on either side of the hull. Next fasten the headstay to the stemhead fitting (Forward hole). Turnbuckles, which permit adjustment, are provided on the lower ends of all stays. (See Fig. 2 & 3)
After all stays are attached, take the slack out of the rigging by tightening all stays taut, but no more than hand tight. If you find a stay too long or too short, check for proper length or possibly the mast step may have been positioned incorrectly. In the latter case, remove mast and then mast step. Next, step the mast onto unattached mast step (be sure to hold mast at all times) and attach stays. When properly set up, mark new position of mast step – finally, unstep mast and screw step in place.
Stepping Hinged Mast: First lay mast on top of boat, slot facing down, with the head (top) of the mast pointing aft over the stern. The lower part of the mast (portion below deck) should already be in place; check to be sure it is secure. On top of this lower part is the tabernacle, notice that there are 2 sets of holes, one at the forward end and one at the aft end. The plate attached to the mast has matching holes. Line up the aft set of holes of the two plates the plate on the mast fits inside the one on the deck) and insert one of the pins, secure with split ring. The sidestays can now be fastened to the chainplates on either side of the hull. Now pivot the mast up to vertical, one person can do this by lifting the mast from the cockpit. It may help to have a second person pulling on the forestay to assist. Once the mast is vertical, the forestay can be attached to the stemhead fitting (forward hole). Insert the forward pin into the tabernacle, secure with split ring. Now follow above procedure for adjusting the stays.
CAUTION: When lowering and raising mast, be sure not to twist spar, as it may cause damage to the mast and tabernacle.
CAUTION: It is very important that you do not tighten the stays too much, as this can cause damage to the hull and deck.
CAUTION: Be sure all lock nuts are securely tightened by pliers or a wrench and then taped to prevent loosening."
Maybe the easiest solution is to add a hinge to the mast, they are sold by D&R Marine as well as most companies that build masts. This isn't cheap, parts alone will run around $50-60+ but it is a much easier way to step the mast. The hinge also allows the side stays (shrouds) to be kept in place to steady the mast as you raise.lower it.
D&R is THE place to get any parts that you may need, Rudy Nickerson was the Parts Dept. manager at o'DAY from 1973-89 and now runs his little "mom& pop" boat shop selling O'DAY parts and answering questions from O'Day owners. (508) 644-3001 D&R has a website www.drmarine.com but for best service it is usually best to call not e-mail.
Does your boat have the (optional 1959-81, standard 1982 and newer) hinged mast step? or the original stepped thru-the cuddy top mast? My mast is the stepped thru the cuddy top version and I have found that launching the boat first, then stepping the mast from an elevated pier with the boat tied alongside works best for me, not ideal....but it works. If launching often off the trailer, is there a beach near the ramp that you can bring the boat to? If so, I have stepped/unstepped a few times by bringing the sten of the boat onto the beach to stabilizie things, then place the butt of the mast at the forward end of the cockpit (pad area with a sponge or rag), then walk mast up the vertical and while standing on hte top of the cuddy, lift mast up while keeping it vertical and lower into hole in deck until mast seats on the step. Again, not the easiest thing, but it does help if a second person can crawl in boat and guide hte mast onto the step.
I read about someone who would hook bungy cords to each shroud (and another on forestay?) to help steady the mast as he lifted it up to drop into the hole, I haven't tried that yet.....so far so good.....but have thought about it! Another owner (actually...quite a few!) built a 3-leg tripod out of aluminum tubing (conduit) about 10' high. He used a block and tackle attached at the apex to lift the mast up using a strap around the mast maybe 1/2 way up and then just lifted the mast, and lowered it down thru the deck and onto the step. That could be done on the trailer most likely! Unfortunately.....I don't have any pictures or diagrams handy!
Here is the instructions from the DS II owners Manual for stepping hte mast, DS I would be similar.
"Stepping the Mast
We recommend that you get assistance in stepping the mast until you are familiar with the stepping procedure. A tabernacle is a great help as it permits easy one person stepping (optional 1971-80, standard 1981-1985). This is a slotted mast and the slot side faces the stern when in position to be stepped.
If your boat is equipped with a tabernacle, see “Stepping hinged Mast” below.
The mast is stepped through an opening in the deck – be sure the base of the mast is properly seated on the mast step. Once accomplished, the mast will stay in place.
Now fasten the sidestays to the chainplates on either side of the hull. Next fasten the headstay to the stemhead fitting (Forward hole). Turnbuckles, which permit adjustment, are provided on the lower ends of all stays. (See Fig. 2 & 3)
After all stays are attached, take the slack out of the rigging by tightening all stays taut, but no more than hand tight. If you find a stay too long or too short, check for proper length or possibly the mast step may have been positioned incorrectly. In the latter case, remove mast and then mast step. Next, step the mast onto unattached mast step (be sure to hold mast at all times) and attach stays. When properly set up, mark new position of mast step – finally, unstep mast and screw step in place.
Stepping Hinged Mast: First lay mast on top of boat, slot facing down, with the head (top) of the mast pointing aft over the stern. The lower part of the mast (portion below deck) should already be in place; check to be sure it is secure. On top of this lower part is the tabernacle, notice that there are 2 sets of holes, one at the forward end and one at the aft end. The plate attached to the mast has matching holes. Line up the aft set of holes of the two plates the plate on the mast fits inside the one on the deck) and insert one of the pins, secure with split ring. The sidestays can now be fastened to the chainplates on either side of the hull. Now pivot the mast up to vertical, one person can do this by lifting the mast from the cockpit. It may help to have a second person pulling on the forestay to assist. Once the mast is vertical, the forestay can be attached to the stemhead fitting (forward hole). Insert the forward pin into the tabernacle, secure with split ring. Now follow above procedure for adjusting the stays.
CAUTION: When lowering and raising mast, be sure not to twist spar, as it may cause damage to the mast and tabernacle.
CAUTION: It is very important that you do not tighten the stays too much, as this can cause damage to the hull and deck.
CAUTION: Be sure all lock nuts are securely tightened by pliers or a wrench and then taped to prevent loosening."
Maybe the easiest solution is to add a hinge to the mast, they are sold by D&R Marine as well as most companies that build masts. This isn't cheap, parts alone will run around $50-60+ but it is a much easier way to step the mast. The hinge also allows the side stays (shrouds) to be kept in place to steady the mast as you raise.lower it.
D&R is THE place to get any parts that you may need, Rudy Nickerson was the Parts Dept. manager at o'DAY from 1973-89 and now runs his little "mom& pop" boat shop selling O'DAY parts and answering questions from O'Day owners. (508) 644-3001 D&R has a website www.drmarine.com but for best service it is usually best to call not e-mail.
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