FIlling the gap on the F-32 mast

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1

Posted by Alan Putnam (aputnam1@…>)

Thanks to all for the feed back on the Jib topping lift.

As I have my mast out, I thouth I should fix the clunk. Can anyone
give me a brief update on the current thinking about I should do to
the F-32 shoe/mast to keep it from shifting as I change tacks? Mine
has a definite clunk when it shifts or rolls.

I had two thoughts - one was to slice up an inner tube line the
bottom of the mast.

The other was to build up the mast thickness with resin.

The yard wasn’t too wild about either idea - the rubber would
compress and decompose and they wondered what would happen if I built
it up too much.

They suggested I take out the shoe and fit it more exatly and then
put the shoe back. I looked it over but the shoe looks nice and tight
right where it is. I don’t really want to disturb it.

They also weren’t wild about lacing the connection with mold release
and filling it with resin.

Thanks,


Alan Putnam
Silver Spray
F-32

2

Posted by Herman and Gail Schiller (hschiller2@…>)

There was no mention in this note about the rubber/plastic hose
that’s supposed to fit over the “bolt” at the base of the mast, and
fit into the groove in the mast step? If this is missing, it would
contribute to sounds down there. Herm

At 09:26 PM 5/29/2008, you wrote:

Thanks to all for the feed back on the Jib topping lift.

As I have my mast out, I thouth I should fix the clunk. Can anyone
give me a brief update on the current thinking about I should do to
the F-32 shoe/mast to keep it from shifting as I change tacks? Mine
has a definite clunk when it shifts or rolls.

I had two thoughts - one was to slice up an inner tube line the
bottom of the mast.

The other was to build up the mast thickness with resin.

The yard wasn’t too wild about either idea - the rubber would
compress and decompose and they wondered what would happen if I built
it up too much.

They suggested I take out the shoe and fit it more exatly and then
put the shoe back. I looked it over but the shoe looks nice and tight
right where it is. I don’t really want to disturb it.

They also weren’t wild about lacing the connection with mold release
and filling it with resin.

Thanks,

Alan Putnam
Silver Spray
F-32

3

Posted by Barry Stellrecht (yak@…>)

I’ve got a F33 and just took the masts out, and I can speak to what was
done on my boat, as well as a prior experience I’ve had.

First, don’t use resin to keep the mast from clunking. You really,
really, really, REALLY do not want to glue the masts in by mistake. I
know of at least one Freedom where they almost lifted the boat by its
masts, after breaking a line or two with the crane. The owner was NOT
happy. And I spent two weeks re-wiring the masts from the bosun’s chair.

Second, what the prior owner of my boat did seemed pretty reasonable–he
got a box of composite wood wedges from the hardware store (I believe
they are normally used for shimming window or door frames), and then
broke them off to find pieces the correct width and forced them in
around the mast inside the shoe. Once the crane got the better of the
spartite at the partners, the stuff at the foot was no problem at all
removing my masts. If the gap is much smaller on your masts, something
else might work as a wedge. I believe somebody once told me that they
accidentally dropped the tail of a cable tie into the mast shoe and it
wedged itself down in there.

Good luck, and just make sure that the fix isn’t worse than the problem!

Barry

Alan Putnam wrote:

Thanks to all for the feed back on the Jib topping lift.

As I have my mast out, I thouth I should fix the clunk. Can anyone
give me a brief update on the current thinking about I should do to
the F-32 shoe/mast to keep it from shifting as I change tacks? Mine
has a definite clunk when it shifts or rolls.

I had two thoughts - one was to slice up an inner tube line the
bottom of the mast.

The other was to build up the mast thickness with resin.

The yard wasn’t too wild about either idea - the rubber would
compress and decompose and they wondered what would happen if I built
it up too much.

They suggested I take out the shoe and fit it more exatly and then
put the shoe back. I looked it over but the shoe looks nice and tight
right where it is. I don’t really want to disturb it.

They also weren’t wild about lacing the connection with mold release
and filling it with resin.

Thanks,

Alan Putnam
Silver Spray
F-32

4

Posted by Medium Al (hjulbyhavn@…>)

I was just at Micro Center, they have a high quality shopping bag that
is very stretchy, so it is not likely to tear under pressure and heavy
loads such as inserted between the mast and base

Place some bags over the plug, or if it is very loose add some epoxy
as well. Check first that the epoxy does not react with and adhere to
the bags you have available. When you pull the mast next time the bag
will be “sacrificed” and you will have to go shopping again.

Make sure the epoxy is almost hard before you insert the mast so it
does not end up making a cone.

You can also get some very thin sheet brass at your local hobby shop,
if you need to build up the base it may be easier to work with, as you
can solder it into a cylinder. Grease the side that is not glued.

Have fun, Add beer or Rum as required to maintain appropriate moisture
levels.