Mast tabernacle?

[daveheaddon]

Colleagues,

I've dropped the mast on my ancient Seamaster Sailer 23 this weekend only to find out that the gubbins (tablernacle?) which fits into the bottom of the aluminium mast is rotten and has broken apart (metal corrosion?). The foot which is attached to the cabin roof is fine but the aluminium mast fixing will need to be renewed.

Question is, shall I try the boatyards for an old replacement or ask someone to make me a new one? Who would I ask in West Cornwall? I guess it would be quite easy to get another one made up? Does anyone sell them online perchance?

Any help greatly appreciated.

Dave

 

[AndrewB]

What was the tabernacle made of? Steel?

If so it shouldn't be hard to get a copy made - beefed up a bit maybe. Much cheaper to find a small steel fabrication outfit (there are plenty everywhere) than to give it to the yard.

Beware steel and aluminium coming into contact. But it is usually the aluminium that suffers.

 

[daveheaddon]

Thanks.

Mast is aluminium section, mast infil (which has failed) is aluminium and the seat thingy which is attached to the cabin roof is, I think, steel. So, as you say, perhaps that is the cause.

I guess I need to keep to aluminium so as not to risk the mast? I have 90% of the old one to use as a cast model.

Dave

 

[Guest]

Dave,

I have a mild steel Tabernacle from a 23' Bruce Roberts, supported a 26' mast, sorry do not have dimensions with me at the moment as I am offshore but you are welcome to it just needs a rub down and paint. I had a new one made out of st/st so it is no good to me, I actually have a picture of the new one with me which is an exact copy, let me have your e-mail address and I will send it.
Very easy and cheap to get a local fabrication welder to make a copy of original but I would definatly go for st/st (316) a bit more exspensive but last for ever

Ed

 

[daveheaddon]

Hi Ed....thanks for getting back.

I'm at dave.headdon@btinternet.com. I'm assuming, at present, that I would beg some assistance from my mechanic friends and make one up. My mast is c26' so perhaps the mast footing and profile are the same as yours? Too lucky!

Thanks again
Dave

 

[Guest]

???????

The tabernacle is usually in Galvanized Steel and fixed to the cabin roof.
The mast is usually stood into this with two bolts .... top one being the pivot bolt, bottom being the 'fixing vertical bolt'.

The infill is normally similar material to the mast - or at least non-electrilytic ... alloy.

You should be mounting the mast with a couple of disks / pads of rubber betwen it and the tabernacle sides. The bolts should be stainless to reduce electrolytic action. If they are mild or galvanized steel -this will cause the reduction of infill etc. by increased electrolytic action.

It is common to find powder deposits around the foot of masts in these older tab's ..... due to the missing pads etc. But even with these it will happen eventually - as the bolts themselves are the conduit !!!!!



Nigel ...
Bilge Keelers get up further ! I only came - cos they said there was FREE Guinness !

 

[snowleopard]

tabernacle?

is it really a tabernacle or is it just the heel plug in the mast with a pivot pin for lowering? i had a similar problem on a sonata which was solved by calling proctor, the spar manufacturer. they still stocked the casting and a few monel pop rivets put me back in business. do you know who made the mast?

 

[daveheaddon]

Re: tabernacle?

Indeed it is just the heel plug which has corroded. I am mis-using the word tabernacle so apologies for misleading!

I have now had an offer to cast one in aluminium from the original pattern but I will check the manufacturer and give them a call anyway.

Thanks!!

Dave