Mast Base

[Swenns Dad]

Hi.
I’m looking to replace this mast base as it is cracked in the centre.
Does anyone know what make it is, or even better, if they’re available?
I think I have a Selden Mast... but I’m not sure.

 

[Swenns Dad]

It would seem the picture I have won’t upload... any suggestions appreciated.

 

[Swenns Dad]

So, looking at the picture I’ve found a part number, 510-105. This is a selden number. So, I’ve answered part of my query already... just gotta find one now!

 

[Rappey]

I have a kemp mast and needed a base so went to selden and they came up with very similar shape, just had to grind a u shaped bit out of the T part for the pin that runs through mast base (port to starboard) to sit in.
Give them a ring ..

 

[Swenns Dad]

I have a kemp mast and needed a base so went to selden and they came up with very similar shape, just had to grind a u shaped bit out of the T part for the pin that runs through mast base (port to starboard) to sit in.
Give them a ring ..

Thanks for that. I’ve sent them an email this evening, so will hopefully get something from them.

 

[Swenns Dad]

Hi All.
So, seems Selden no longer stock or want to provide any advice... other than ‘speak to a stockist’.
So, ive spoken time Allspars who sell a replica for £300....with a 4 week lead time.

This said, I now have two options. 1. Buy new or 2, repair old.
I’m heading towards repairing old and have a couple more questions I’m hoping those more experienced may be able to provide.

There is currently a Rotten timber pad between my mast base and deck ( the reason I’m removing it in first place). This is the same footprint as the Ally mast base.
To repair the existing, I’m thinking cutting out the crack, welding it up and also welding a 6mm ally plate to the bottom face.

this said.

1. my deck is balsa cored and there are existing signs of compression under the mast foot.
2. My deck is curved, not flat!

to this end, I’m tempted to make the new ally base oversize in order to spread the load, but there’s no way I’m going to be able to profile this to meet the curvature of the deck.

To this end, I’m looking for any advice on how to best overcome the issue of putting a flat base on a curved deck??

again, can’t upload pictures for some unknown reason!
Thanks in advance.

 

[Swenns Dad]

Pictures

 

[Refueler]

Photos are usually rejected due to size of file .......... open your picture in PAINT ..... click resize .... keep ratio and choose a % reduction ... I find that 30 is the usual factor ... then save as a different file name so you keep original.

Then try upload the reduced size pic.

 

[Swenns Dad]

Thanks...:

Photos are usually rejected due to size of file .......... open your picture in PAINT ..... click resize .... keep ratio and choose a % reduction ... I find that 30 is the usual factor ... then save as a different file name so you keep original.

Then try upload the reduced size pic.
[/QUOTE

thanks, you are correct...managed to upload now.

 

[Refueler]

Local metal fabricator ??

 

[Swenns Dad]

Do you mean to profile the base?

 

[Refueler]

Do you mean to profile the base?

To me ? If it was me ... I would pass the item to a metal fabricator and ask them to make me a replacement ...

But I live in former Soviet land where this is the norm.

I had perfect replicas of spurs made to fit to my shaft ... the original had failed and i salvaged the parts ... plus the manuals diagrans ... local guy knocked up exact for 60 Euros ....

 

[Swenns Dad]

Hi.

To me ? If it was me ... I would pass the item to a metal fabricator and ask them to make me a replacement ...

But I live in former Soviet land where this is the norm.

I had perfect replicas of spurs made to fit to my shaft ... the original had failed and i salvaged the parts ... plus the manuals diagrans ... local guy knocked up exact for 60 Euros ....

That would be ideal but in reality I don’t think that’s viable with the depth of my pockets. In terms of the mast base, I’m ok.... just need to figure out how to overcome the curve.

 

[LittleSister]

just need to figure out how to overcome the curve.

Build up the area of deck under the mast base, using epoxy and glass cloth, to form a flat platform for the mast base?

I would have thought that in any case it would be worth cutting open the deck in this area to replace the timber (or whatever it is!) that you say has compressed, either with new timber or, probably better, epoxy laminate.

 

[vyv_cox]

Atlantic Spars used to stock obsolete Selden parts, could be worth a try. I am not quite certain that they still trade.

Is it the part bolted to the deck that has failed? Cannot see your photos well enough. I doubt that a replica fabrication would be prohibitively expensive.

 

[Swenns Dad]

Build up the area of deck under the mast base, using epoxy and glass cloth, to form a flat platform for the mast base?

I would have thought that in any case it would be worth cutting open the deck in this area to replace the timber (or whatever it is!) that you say has compressed, either with new timber or, probably better, epoxy laminate.

This is a very sensible approach... I had thought about that but had kinda convinced myself not to cut the deck open, but I think this is the most sensible way around it.

One other point that’s confused me.

there are 4 machine screws holding the mast base in place. These must be screwed into something metallic, but there’s no sign of any nuts under the deck... wonder if there are nuts of some sort embedded in the core?

ok, seems I’m going to need some advice on what/how to make a new step! Any advice on material, lay up etc welcome. Never done glassfiber before, but I can generally turn may hand to anything.

 

[Swenns Dad]

Added a higher res picture.

 

[Swenns Dad]

Atlantic Spars used to stock obsolete Selden parts, could be worth a try. I am not quite certain that they still trade.

Is it the part bolted to the deck that has failed? Cannot see your photos well enough. I doubt that a replica fabrication would be prohibitively expensive.

I’ve added a higher res picture.
Initial problem was the split/rotted pad under the mast heel. Now I’ve took mast off, mast heel itself is cracked and needs to be replaced/repaired. Allspars have quoted £300 for the mast heel.... about £230 more than the original Selden part!

 

[Spirit (of Glenans)]

This is a very sensible approach... I had thought about that but had kinda convinced myself not to cut the deck open, but I think this is the most sensible way around it.

One other point that’s confused me.

there are 4 machine screws holding the mast base in place. These must be screwed into something metallic, but there’s no sign of any nuts under the deck... wonder if there are nuts of some sort embedded in the core?

ok, seems I’m going to need some advice on what/how to make a new step! Any advice on material, lay up etc welcome. Never done glassfiber before, but I can generally turn may hand to anything.

I seem to recall there was an account by someone on here not more than a couple of months ago about how they remedied a spongy deck. AFAIR it involved carefully cutting off the top surface off the offending area, removing the rotten reinforcement, replacing it with suitable material laid up with the relevant type of resin and sticking the original surface back on, then making good. Perhaps someone will come along with a link to it, or provide more comprehensive advice than I can.

 

[Rappey]

I have just fixed a boat with the same issue. The T bar for the mast to fit on was bent due to mast compression and the substrate getting crushed.
The cause of the problem virtually every time is those crap substandard deck glands to plug cables in.. Ive yet to see one that does not leak. the worst part having a cored deck is the first you know about the leak is the mast plinth and deck starts to bend, by then it needs repairing.
Its a fairly easy job though as under the deck will be around 2 layers of 18mm ply, to which your mast base screws will screw into. The electrical fittings leak, the ply softens over time and the T bar mast base bends.
I would cut the deck out from the top around the mast base, dig out the old ply, epoxy in new ply, Epoxy the cut out grp back or layer new grp or epoxy.
Give the T bar to an engineering company to bend straight and weld up the small crack then maybe get it re anodised?
Bin the electrical sockets and fit a stainless swan neck to feed the cables through and connect inside the boat .