Mast step

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tsmyth

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I have a Boomarroo 22 (Jaguar 22 in your language I think)

Some time ago I removed the mast (in two neat pieces) by trailing under a light wire. Hence, I am getting a new mast.


I removed the old mast step (an Al fitting). Between this and the GRP was a piece of material (hardened grey rubber or perhaps plastic). Removing this rendered it unsuitable for future use.

Can anyone plese tell me what function this was intended to serve, and if I need to replace it under the new fitting?

Presuming that I do need to replace it, what type of material should I use?

Ray
 
The mast has (had) a flat bottom edge which sat over a cast raised ridge in the mast step which held the mast in position IIRC.
Between the mast step and the deck is (was) a packer which should have been tapered from 1" at the front edge to ¼" at the rear edge. This is (was) to give the mast the correct angle of rake when fitted to the mast step - material on the Jaguars was Teak.

I think you will need to make and fit a new one.
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"Artificial intelligence is no match for natural stupidity"
 
Might it just have been a seal of some sort between the casting and the deck - intended to stop water getting down the bolt holes? If so, you could try a piece of old lorry tyre inner tube or possibly just use a high modulus polyurethane adhesive like Sikaflex?
 
Thanks Folks.

Apparently the Jaguar system was (is) diferent. On my Boomaroo the fitting fixed to the GRP coach roof was a simple C section (U section?) piec e of Al which had two holes (shaped rather like bayonet fittings for a ligh bulb). The Al mast had a simple horizonatl (and athwart "through rod" which fitted into these slots.

I am inclined to the suggestion that it was simply a seal to prevent water leaking through the fixing bolt holes. However, why not simply use a sealant?

Ray
 
High Ray I don't know the boat well but it is desirable that the bottom of the mast sit fairly even on the support. ie if it is heeled too far aft then the aft bottom of the mast will be crushed while same for the forward edge. However if you think the filler was equal thickness front and back then it must have been OK. Just put down a bed of sika, silicon or what have you just to seal and to cushion the loads.
Do you have the new mast yet? The season is getting close. Our club opens in 3 weeks so I have to get a certain Castle back in the water. Mind you current weather is like mid winter. I don't even want to venture outside. good luck olewill
 
In that case you can adjust the rake angle so the pad can be flat. The pad spreads the load and from your description gives something to fix the "C" channel onto.
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hammer.thumb.gif
"Artificial intelligence is no match for natural stupidity"
 
I pulled a strip of something very similar to what you describe off Avocet's mast step casting a few years ago when I removed it. A sort of natural rubber with canvas reinforcement. Maybe that's all they had in the late 1960s!
 
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