I have a wonderful 79 ODay 25 which I've owned for several years. This years project is to rewire the mast light and do something to stop the radio cable from banging on the mast. I'm not sure how to gain access. On the bottom of the mast is a upside down mast stepping plate. There are two rather stout round somethings (like nuts only 100% round). Above the stepping plate there is a tappered medal casting that looks to slip into the mast. Then on the side of the mast, approx 1/2" to a 1" above the mount plate, are 4 screws. 2 on each side. Which set of screws unplugs the bottom of the mast?
Wiring for the mast
- Thread starter DV13612
- Start date
- Status
Disassemble mast base
Trying to get the two "nuts" off the bottom of the shoe is next to impossible if the mast is original. Also, it won't get you access to the inside of the mast extrusion. All they do is hold the step to the hinge plate. Remove the 4 screws from the bottom end of the mast extrusion and remove the mast from the base. The link is to the Dwyer Mast page for the O25 mast. Shows all the possible parts.
Trying to get the two "nuts" off the bottom of the shoe is next to impossible if the mast is original. Also, it won't get you access to the inside of the mast extrusion. All they do is hold the step to the hinge plate. Remove the 4 screws from the bottom end of the mast extrusion and remove the mast from the base. The link is to the Dwyer Mast page for the O25 mast. Shows all the possible parts.
Removing the base plate
I have a '76 O'Day 25, and I've done just what you are trying to do, and removing the four screws, then the base, is the right procedure. When you get the screws off, you many have to tap the base out, it's probably in pretty tight. I used a rubber hammer, and took turn tapping (firmly, but not so hard as to bend it), the hinge plate. I did get all my wiring up the mast, but was unsuccessful getting any sort of padding around the wire. Everything I tried was too thick. I didn't have problems with "mast slap" at the time, as there were no wires up the mast yet. In my case, it was just prevention, as I had heard of others having problems. But, even though I didn't put any padding around the wires, I haven't heard them slapping inside the mast, at least, not yet.
I have a '76 O'Day 25, and I've done just what you are trying to do, and removing the four screws, then the base, is the right procedure. When you get the screws off, you many have to tap the base out, it's probably in pretty tight. I used a rubber hammer, and took turn tapping (firmly, but not so hard as to bend it), the hinge plate. I did get all my wiring up the mast, but was unsuccessful getting any sort of padding around the wire. Everything I tried was too thick. I didn't have problems with "mast slap" at the time, as there were no wires up the mast yet. In my case, it was just prevention, as I had heard of others having problems. But, even though I didn't put any padding around the wires, I haven't heard them slapping inside the mast, at least, not yet.
- Status