Will my mast fall down if I disconnect the chainplates?

[aidancoughlan]

I'm currently tackling the headlining in my Westerly Merlin. The chainplates go through the side decks, and are visible in the saloon.. and the old headlining was done before the chainplates were fixed with bolts.

When I bond the sheet of headlining to the cabin sides, I will have to cut it to go around the chainplate, and then join it back up with a seam behind the chainplate. It will take a bit of messing to get a decent finish afterwards - I'll have to build a box to cover the square plate & hide the rough-cut edges.

An alternative would be to undo the bolts, disconnect the chainplates do the headlining and then re-fix the chainplates..... while the mast is up.
... has anyone tried supporting the mast temporarily like this? Anyone done headlining without removing the chainplates?... If I support the mast with a halyard merely tied to the stanchion bases will it be safe while I do the job ? What if I dont get it finished & have to leave it for a week supported by the halyard?Should I drop the mast to do it properly ?

thanks for any info/tips/answers to any of these questions..

 

[vyv_cox]

You can normally get away with detaching one shroud/stay at a time while supporting the mast with halyards. Attach one or two to a strong point as far outboard as possible and winch up tight. I have done this many times with forestay and backstay. I have replaced cap shrouds using the same method, although the lowers were still attached at the time.

I would not leave the boat for any period of time like this, although there is really no reason why not in settled conditions. Personally I would time the job for completion during the weekend.

 

[Talbot]

Not a good idea. You will then have the new headlining between the chainplates and the deckhead. This will prevent a decent fixing and allow the chainplate to move slightly. Over time this will cause a leak.

Personally I cut my headling to fit around the chain plate. With care, this can be done with a good result.

 

[rhumlady]

You could always remove the chainplate cut the piece out of the headlining and fasten it up then refit the chainplate so you have no join in the headlining.

 

[aidancoughlan]

Thanks for the responses all.
I was down at the boat today and had another look. I think we can butt-join the vinyl up to the edge of the plate OK - We tried it with a few scraps of vinyl it looks like it will give a decent result if its carefully cut. I think this will be the easiest option & will look a lot better than I had first thought.

ps. tip for headlining glue.... dont get it in your hair !!!

 

[William_H]

So you have a punk rocker hair style now. Spiked hair!

You should have no problems with staying the mast with halyards.
The loads when sailing are enormous compared to those just to hold the mast up without sails.
I think that if the lining is clamped under the chain plate bolts it should be so compressed with bolt tightening that there will be no movement. And the lining won't be able to detach at that point.

olewill