Captain Crisp
Active member
Hi I'd like to replace the wiring inside my 50yr old mast...
Do I just drill out the rivets and prise it out?
Thanks...
Crisp
Do I just drill out the rivets and prise it out?
Thanks...
Crisp
How to remove this old mast foot?
- Thread starter Captain Crisp
- Start date
Poignard
Well-known member
Yes. Looks like someone has already had a go at it.
Check for corrosion in that area. My mast had it and I had to have it sleeved.
Check for corrosion in that area. My mast had it and I had to have it sleeved.
William_H
Well-known member
If you are lucky you may be able to prise the plug out. (use a carefully calibrated bashometer) Probably need a cold chisel or similar to get pressure on to it. In the end I suspect you will have to cut the ali of the mast. Try about 1 cm and peel off the mast ali from plug. That may a enable the plug to come out. if not cut more. Yes you will have to shorten stays or pack the bottom of the mast to allow for shorter mast. ol'will Funny just wwrote same thing re a boom plug.
Poignard
Well-known member
A good long soaking in penetrating oil, eg PlusGas, might help too.
If you do find your mast is corroded at the bottom (although yours looks much better than mine did), you can have a reinforcing sleeve welded onto the outside. You can just see the top of it in this picture, level with the top of the teak chocks:
If you do find your mast is corroded at the bottom (although yours looks much better than mine did), you can have a reinforcing sleeve welded onto the outside. You can just see the top of it in this picture, level with the top of the teak chocks:
Gsailor
...
Nice welding.
I try to do a neat job on mild steel- I wouldn’t know where to start with aluminium - I know TIG welding needs a bit more skill - that I don’t have.
Refueler
Well-known member
I was similarly concerned about getting my mast foot out ... but in the end - once screws were out - it actually came out quite easily.
Careful use of wide blade screwdrivers in the joint eased it out ...
Most Alloy masts to the cast foot - seize with oxidised powder ... which usually is not so hard to break hold by taking a mallet and knocking the alloy around the fitting ... even literally knocking the fitting into the mast ..
Looks like OP's fitting is riveted ? Basically drill out the rivets or remove the screws ... problem with rivets is that the body still remains locking the fitting in place so need to get a 'drift rod' of correct size to punch the rivet body through ...
Different foot - but similarly inserted into mast base ..... (this is after repair) :
Out and ready to repair :
Careful use of wide blade screwdrivers in the joint eased it out ...
Most Alloy masts to the cast foot - seize with oxidised powder ... which usually is not so hard to break hold by taking a mallet and knocking the alloy around the fitting ... even literally knocking the fitting into the mast ..
Looks like OP's fitting is riveted ? Basically drill out the rivets or remove the screws ... problem with rivets is that the body still remains locking the fitting in place so need to get a 'drift rod' of correct size to punch the rivet body through ...
Different foot - but similarly inserted into mast base ..... (this is after repair) :
Out and ready to repair :
Keith 66
Well-known member
I did a similar job on our Sabre 27's old Kemp mast, the tabernacle bolt holes had corroded & worn vertically. I made a mould & made a GRP sleeve & mast foot to go inside, Worked well & no corrosion issues!
Boathook
Well-known member
If the old wires move, just splice some new ones on and pull through. Much easier if you have someone to push the new wire in as I found out a few years back.
Sandro
Active member
You just want to renew the wiring. Can't you do it without disturbing the mast foot? From the picture this seems to be still in acceptable conditions. If it not broke....
andsarkit
Well-known member
After about 15 years I had minor corrosion at the base of my mast. I cut off about 1cm just above the screw line which gives access to the lip on the plug and makes it easier to remove. I was able to keep the existing rigging as there was easily 1cm of adjustment. Refit the plug with lots of grease or anti corrosion sealant and keep the drain hole clear if you have one. I had no further corrosion in the next 25 years.
If you don't have a mast cable conduit the cables will slap against the mast and keep you awake at anchor. If you remove the base plug you can fit cable ties or pipe insulation on the cables to keep them quiet.
If you don't have a mast cable conduit the cables will slap against the mast and keep you awake at anchor. If you remove the base plug you can fit cable ties or pipe insulation on the cables to keep them quiet.
Refueler
Well-known member
Maybe I'm missing something - but I cannot see any wiring .... ???
Boathook
Well-known member
To me it looks like 2 wires coming out of the mast just under the rigging.
Captain Crisp
Active member
Wiring is coming out on the other side! I'll try the splicing the wires first...
Thanks for all the advice!
Thanks for all the advice!
