Stuff worth doing while mast is down

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DHV90

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Hi there,

I was wondering if there were any worthwhile jobs that could be done while my new boats mast is off and being stored indoors? any jobs or mods that would be easier to do with it on it's side? other than the obvious visual scan I can't think of much really, so any advice would be appreciated.

One thing I had thought of, was adding some foam over the spreaders to stop chafing perhaps?

Thanks.
 
Not so sure about foam on spreaders, I use the plastic caps made for the job, others fit small wheels to help overlapping genoas pass more freely.

If you fancy any extra lights like deck floodlights or a revised anchor / masthead tricolour now is your chance, and treble check all clevis pins etc, it's always natural to look aloft and wonder when beating into a stiff breeze !
 
searj said:
Hi there,

I was wondering if there were any worthwhile jobs that could be done while my new boats mast is off and being stored indoors? any jobs or mods that would be easier to do with it on it's side? other than the obvious visual scan I can't think of much really, so any advice would be appreciated.

One thing I had thought of, was adding some foam over the spreaders to stop chafing perhaps?

Thanks.
Click to expand...
I have some propriety anti-chafe protectors in my garage,they are strong fabric with buckles. I bought the larger ones too to fit my mast, these have now been in place some 10 yrs. if your interested i can post a photo after the w/e
 
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give the mainsail luff slot a polish..
clean the contacts on bulbs.
knockout the sheave pivots and refit them while you can ( ie before they seize up of their own accord)
 
Check your vhf antenna cable. If there is a connector at the antenna you can undo it and this will allow you to check the cable run from mast base to masthead - use a multimeter to check there is no circuit between outer braid and inner conductor. Check for corrosion of the braid at each end, if there is, cut cable back to clean wire and replace the connectors.
Check your masthead lights, of course, and make sure masthead pulleys turn freely, lubricate as necessary.
 
I would also agree with checking VHF cable. Depending on age of your boat, even worth replacing whilst mast is down anyway. I had mine fail this year (12 year old boat) and a new one could not be pulled through, so had to be held in slings, mast unstepped, etc, which for a relatively cheap part proved expensive. Water had got inside the cable and it had deteriorated. I was told this is not uncommon with a Hawk Ariel
 
It depends whether "new" boat means just out the wrapper or new to you. If of some age but new to you I would concur with all of the above and add that all pulleys including spinnaker blocks should be checked for wear on the axles and grooves - replace as necessary; all fixed rigging needs close examination as do the mast attachments, clevis pins, split pins etc.; if filament bulbs are used, they should be replaced with new, all contacts cleaned and lubed, all electrical connections checked - now is a good time to consider LED replacements; remove all running rigging (replace with light cord) for washing and checking replacing and top/tailing as required; the addition of retroflective tape to the mast makes finding "your" boat much easier in dark anchorages; check for any signs of corrosion at any fittings and be ruthless in removal, cleaning, protecting and replacement; fit a new mast gaiter if keel stepped; add any masthead toys you want - windex, wifi aerial, satellite dish, radar transponder, strobe light, burgee halyard and crane, anti-bird spikes (if it's not already too crowded up there), etc.; and finally wash and polish it paying extra care to the mainsail track. If you have in-mast reefing, I have no suggestions other than sympathy.
 
Not something for while the mast is in storage, but don't forget to check Windex arm alignment before the mast is stepped.

Take detailed photos of everything at top of mast. If you do have to go up there, they will be a good reminder of what you will find and the tools needed.
 
I'm in the same position - to my knowledge the mast hasn't been down for 17 years, and I am going to check and probably replace most things - the two nasty (thick) 3 core mains cables used for lights will be replaced with thinner tinned cable, feeding LED bulbs, new coax, aerial and windex (to be ordered from Salty John), new mast head instruments (old B&G is seized), sheaves checked and replaced if necessary, etc, etc. likely to replace the standing rigging - awaiting riggers report. It won't be cheap but hopefully it will be another 17 years before it comes down again!
 
Depends how old the mast is and the method of construction - When I last had a 1973 vintage Kemp mast down I drilled out the rivets holding the spreader sockets to check for hidden corrosion, there was a little but nothing too exciting, and then re-assembled with lots of duralac (other products are available)
 
Thanks for all the help everyone, this is a really comprehensive thread so really appreciate all your time!

I'm planning to spend a weekend in the storage room, disassemble and grease everything that can be greased, replace bulbs, check wiring and I was thinking along the lines of running a few fall back cables through the mast and taping the ends for the lights, wind speed and VHF antenna so 1 or 2 redundant cables so if and when something fails I can climb up there and swap the cables over without needing to lift the mast or try threading stuff through. Is there anything else I could do to give me a quick fix for any other through mast gear that needs the mast lifting to replace?

The mast was brand new in 2002, aluminium and keel stepped. Stood unused until 2006 since the rig was all replaced as a part of a larger refit including the interior, which wasn't completed until the boat was sold to it's previous owner in 2006 who used it until 2 years ago so it should have loads of life left in I'm hoping, but am keen to prevent anything too inconvenient for the forseeable future.

Thanks again for the help, such a wealth of knowledge.
 
how much time and money would fitting steps cost? surely hoisting up a long rope ladder with the uphaul while the mains down and tying it off to stanchions would be sufficient to get up and have a look, and would save messing about with the mast itself?
 
searj said:
.... I was thinking along the lines of running a few fall back cables through the mast and taping the ends for the lights, wind speed and VHF antenna so 1 or 2 redundant cables ?

.
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given that you will have power cables for lights, data cable for windy, coax for vhf its unlikely a singkle spare will be the right cable, and unlikely you will fit more than one. you might get a mouse in situ to pull the correct cable through.

in reality none of it is essential, you can do deck lights instead of tricolor, hand held VHF, do without a windy.
If a cable fails it can wait till winter and drop the mast then, so don't make work thats not needed.
 
searj said:
how much time and money would fitting steps cost? surely hoisting up a long rope ladder with the uphaul while the mains down and tying it off to stanchions would be sufficient to get up and have a look, and would save messing about with the mast itself?
Click to expand...

It took a whole afternoon, and cost about £300, and IMHO is worth every penny. This is not just aimed at you, with your rope ladder, :rolleyes: but to anyone else contemplating mast access.
 
geoid96 said:
....................Take detailed photos of everything at top of mast. If you do have to go up there, they will be a good reminder of what you will find and the tools needed.
Click to expand...

Seconded. I took photos while the mast was down, and they have proved very useful since.
 
Change the masthead lights from icandescent bulbs to LED ?
We have mast down every year, so these things become less of a concern in terms of getting it all right.
 
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