Fixing mast hardware

[JimmyD69]

The hardware / metal slot on the mast where the main halyard comes out just above the gooseneck has come off the mast. How can I reattach it since the mast is carbon fiber? Should I use screws, rivets or something else? Thanks in advance.

[sailmon]

If you are referring to the sail track on the aft aspect of the mast, it was originally mounted with rivets. Over time the rivets corrode and wear - often becoming loose or breaking. Best fix is to tap the mast through the old rivet holes and install 1" long 1/4" pan head machine screws. Paul Dennis recommends using a bit of 5200 in each screw hole to keep the screws from coming loose. I have now replaced around 24 rivets in this fashion and the screws are holding strong. You need to be sure the old rivet barel has fallen or been driven into the interior of the mast before attempting to tap. I used a punch and mallet to push the ones in that didn't fall in if their own accord.