IYE Mast step

[conolan]

My mast toppled over at liftout (idiot thought it was keel-stepped) and the mast step broke.
The boat is 31yo Cobra 750.The mast dimension (taken from inside the step) are 64mm across (widest section) and 82mm front to back.

The step has IYE markings which I believe is (International Yacht Equipment)

See photo here http://www.webwizards.ie/stuff/iye.jpg

As I can't find a website for IYE I presume that are gone.
So where might I get a replacement?

 

[VicS]

Ouch

A solution might be to forget about it being a mast step with a pivot bolt. Just use it as the type which locates the mast heel only.

It does mean you will always have to have the facility to lift the mast on and off.

If you could find a small foundry they would be able to cast a new one easily enough ... the difficulty will be finding the small foundry.

Schools and Technical Colleges will have the necessary facilities ... You don't know a technology teacher/lecturer or workshop technician I suppose.

It would not be impossible to repair it but I'd not trust it well enough to use it as a hinged mast step after a repair.

 

[Jcorstorphine]

Could you use the damaged one it to make a mould.

My mast toppled over at liftout (idiot thought it was keel-stepped) and the mast step broke.
The boat is 31yo Cobra 750.The mast dimension (taken from inside the step) are 64mm across (widest section) and 82mm front to back.

The step has IYE markings which I believe is (International Yacht Equipment)

See photo here http://www.webwizards.ie/stuff/iye.jpg

As I can't find a website for IYE I presume that are gone.
So where might I get a replacement?

This is a longshot but I think you could take the existing foot and by using some epoxy glue, make good the damaged section so that it could be used as a mould to get a new casting made. Biggest problem will be finding a small foundry that does one off’s.

Alternative is to get a 25 mm thick piece of aluminum and file it to fit inside the mast section (I am actually doing that myself for a similar size of mast) Then get a second piece of aluminum the same thickness as the lower part and hack it to shape/size. I used a Jig saw and a lot of patience to get the rough shape and then using various sanders got it down to the correct size.

Once you have the two parts, you can bolt them together using countersunk machine screws up through the base. You could look at TIG welding the two parts together but I fear you would have to grind too much weld away.

Other point is to make sure you fit a drain hole and coat everything with some form of paint (not worked that one out yet) to prevent corrosion.

If you PM me with an email address, I will send you a couple of photographs of the bits I am making up.

 

[vyv_cox]

It is remarkably easy to cast aluminium into a sand mould. Here is a site that gives all the info you need.

I knew a man who made beautiful laminated oars and paddles, a process needing many G-cramps. He cast all his own, at very low cost.

 

[Seajet]

A lot easier answer would be to contact Sailspar; they have various mast foot jobs available off the shelf and couldn't be more helpful.

 

[GrahamM376]

Suggest you contact ProBoat who are distributors for IYE.

 

[neil_s]

IYE are still in business - but they only make mainsheet/genoa track and fittings now.

If you can't find a replacement part, what about getting a tabernackle welded up in s/s or aluminium alloy?

Neil

 

[mezereon]

I had exactly the same break to my IYE mast step through rough handling at liftout. SMR at Brighton had it repaired for me when they replaced my rigging. Don't know where they went, but the result is very good.

 

[William_H]

Mast step

This kind of failure is very common around here as people lower masts for bridges and this style was very common. The problem being the lugs are far enough spaced to move a lot with any mast swing sideways but close spaced enough that the leverage of the mast snaps the lugs off.
My mast has 2 lugs welded to the back of the mast itself. However these are close spaced and simply bend if the mast swings too much on lowering.
An alternative for you is a stainless steel band around the base of the mast which bends outwards to make the pivot lugs. Rivet the band to the outside of the mast. good luck olewill

 

[chewi]

Ouch

A solution might be to forget about it being a mast step with a pivot bolt. Just use it as the type which locates the mast heel only.

It does mean you will always have to have the facility to lift the mast on and off.

If you could find a small foundry they would be able to cast a new one easily enough ... the difficulty will be finding the small foundry.

Schools and Technical Colleges will have the necessary facilities ... You don't know a technology teacher/lecturer or workshop technician I suppose.

It would not be impossible to repair it but I'd not trust it well enough to use it as a hinged mast step after a repair.

I agree, and did the same on my Vivacity. Lots of boats don't have the pivot in the first place and that is not a well designed feature on the IYE as other have explained, so don't go OTT trying to remake one unless you really need to use the pivot. I wouldn't use it again if I had one now, it's a bad design.

Mind you it was so ubiquitous that anyone with 2 weeks experience of mast dropping would recognise it as a deck stepped fitting...so I'd argue with your yard about it.

Both my vivacity650 and my Cobra750 had them, though the cobra has a new mast now.

 

[conolan]

...so I'd argue with your yard about it.

Here in Dunmore East we DIY it so can't shift the blame.

Thanks to all for the feedback, especially the bit about not needing the pivot. Think I'll file down the existing and put it back on.