Mast Step Bolt

[GCushing]

Please let me know what the size and length of the bolt that pins the mast to the step is.

I took the mast down and found the bolt is bent and had been hacksawed flush with the shoe.

Thanks for the help.

Regards,

George

[Tim Bosma]

I think ours is a 5/16" SS hex head bolt it is about 3/4" longer than the mast step, leaving us room for washers and the self-lockinng nut.

[BarryE]

Tim is correct; 5/16 stainless, long enough for a washers and nut; I had to go out to the barn this morning and check it out;
cold, dark, and nearly fell off the step ladder.
The things we do to support the class.
Happy new year.

[LarryE-old]

I agree with the size.
Really cold here this morning, 69 and sunny, can't sail as it's off to work on the boat. Doing the mast step repair.

[Tom Elsen]

Hey Barry - Thanks for that cold trip to the barn. What a good guy!
As far as Larry and that 69 degree cold snap he's dealing with....my heart just bleeds...it's barely two above zero here...my heart just bleeds.....
And, what's up with doing mast step repair in January. Cripes. My fingers would be stuck frozen to the thing until June.
My heart just bleeds...

[Tim Bosma]

Hey Barry - Thanks for that cold trip to the barn. What a good guy!
As far as Larry and that 69 degree cold snap he's dealing with....my heart just bleeds...it's barely two above zero here...my heart just bleeds.....
And, what's up with doing mast step repair in January. Cripes. My fingers would be stuck frozen to the thing until June.
My heart just bleeds...

good thing your heart is still bleeding. the alternative is that it had stoopped.
in our crew mtgs about the todo list the question over and over is, "how warm does it have to be to do that?"

[LarryE-old]

Not a good to grind fiberglass. Way to warm to wear all that protective clothing.
Oh well, the price we pay sometimes.

[Tim Bosma]

Being built in Holland, the 7.9 is used to being hauled out over the winter for repairs. As soon as the water is soft again in her homeland, she yearns to be afloat.

HappyNewYear everyone!

[sj24]

Hi, My ( hull # 132 ) boat uses a 3/8" bolt for the pivot pin. 5/16 is very sloppy in the mast base hole and the slot in the step

Kevin

[GCushing]

Thanks for the replies. All of the help is apprecitaed.

George

[grandillusion]

I changed mine to a 1/2" bolt for a nice tight fit, thats the size of the slot in the deck plate, I think I drilled out the mast shoe to accomadate the larget bolt

[carey]

Use Anti-seaze or it WILL be real hard to remove next time.

[fleck]

Or, be sure to travel to an away regatta on a regular basis. I recommend St Pete NOOD, Annapolis NOOD, and the 7.9 CCR. Do this and the bolt will not RIP ( rust in place).

[carey]

Not so fast my mast was only up for two weeks before I took it up to the turkey shoot went to take the bolt out bam nothing.I had to leave the shoe in the mast saddle take a hack saw to the bolt after tring to heat the bolt with MAP gas and PB blaster then taking a air hammer to remove the bolt from the shoe.travel or not greese that thing