Freedom 33 mast step issues

Archives
1

Posted by akusinitz (akusinitz@…>)

I’m trying to figure out a better way to secure my masts at the
steps (not the deck). The holes for the set screws on the mainmast
had worn and the previous owner made an oak insert for the base of
the mast (with cutouts to allow cables and water through) and the
screws now go into the oak and this seems to prevent the mast from
rotating. The rubber wedges on between the mast and step collar
don’t seem adequate as the move and I can see the base of the mast
shifts slightly.
On the mizzen the holes have not worn yet but I’m wondering if
anyone has any good ideas on the best way to deal with these things.
Thanks
Alan

2

Posted by Jerome Weinraub (zayde@…>)

My 33 masts fit closely into the steps,and I have no wedges @ the step.
Prevention of motion will prevent wear of the mast foot,and the hole
enlargement you have experienced. Polyurethane wedges can be used between
the mast and the step,as in the partners. I drive the wedges in with a
wooden mallet,lubing them with soapy water.Freedom advises against wood as
being inelastic
----- Original Message -----
From: “akusinitz” <akusinitz@…>
To: <freedomyachts2003@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Saturday, September 25, 2004 4:46 PM
Subject: [freedomyachts2003] Freedom 33 mast step issues

\

I’m trying to figure out a better way to secure my masts at the
steps (not the deck). The holes for the set screws on the mainmast
had worn and the previous owner made an oak insert for the base of
the mast (with cutouts to allow cables and water through) and the
screws now go into the oak and this seems to prevent the mast from
rotating. The rubber wedges on between the mast and step collar
don’t seem adequate as the move and I can see the base of the mast
shifts slightly.
On the mizzen the holes have not worn yet but I’m wondering if
anyone has any good ideas on the best way to deal with these things.
Thanks
Alan

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3

Posted by mike_c_f35ck (mike_c_f35ck@…>)

At the mast step, I have a mast collar the same as at decklevel. The
space between the outside of the mast and the inside of the collar is
not filled with wedges, but with polyester filler. I greased the
mast and inside of the collar before I poured in the filler, so as to
make sure the filler does not stick to mast of collar. This tight
fitting wedge can be taken out if necessary.


— In freedomyachts2003@yahoogroups.com, “akusinitz”
<akusinitz@y…> wrote:

I’m trying to figure out a better way to secure my masts at the
steps (not the deck). The holes for the set screws on the mainmast
had worn and the previous owner made an oak insert for the base of
the mast (with cutouts to allow cables and water through) and the
screws now go into the oak and this seems to prevent the mast from
rotating. The rubber wedges on between the mast and step collar
don’t seem adequate as the move and I can see the base of the mast
shifts slightly.
On the mizzen the holes have not worn yet but I’m wondering if
anyone has any good ideas on the best way to deal with these things.
Thanks
Alan

4

Posted by akusinitz (akusinitz@…>)

Thanks very much. I’m considering something similar with spartite.
Alan

— In freedomyachts2003@yahoogroups.com, “mike_c_f35ck”
<mike_c_f35ck@y…> wrote:

At the mast step, I have a mast collar the same as at decklevel.
The
space between the outside of the mast and the inside of the collar
is
not filled with wedges, but with polyester filler. I greased the
mast and inside of the collar before I poured in the filler, so as
to
make sure the filler does not stick to mast of collar. This tight
fitting wedge can be taken out if necessary.

— In freedomyachts2003@yahoogroups.com, “akusinitz”
<akusinitz@y…> wrote:

I’m trying to figure out a better way to secure my masts at the
steps (not the deck). The holes for the set screws on the
mainmast
had worn and the previous owner made an oak insert for the base
of
the mast (with cutouts to allow cables and water through) and
the
screws now go into the oak and this seems to prevent the mast
from
rotating. The rubber wedges on between the mast and step collar
don’t seem adequate as the move and I can see the base of the
mast
shifts slightly.
On the mizzen the holes have not worn yet but I’m wondering if
anyone has any good ideas on the best way to deal with these
things.
Thanks
Alan

5

Posted by mike_c_f35ck (mike_c_f35ck@…>)

If money is no problem you can certainly use spartite. I found the
stuf way too expensive.

— In freedomyachts2003@yahoogroups.com, “akusinitz”
<akusinitz@y…> wrote:

Thanks very much. I’m considering something similar with spartite.
Alan

— In freedomyachts2003@yahoogroups.com, “mike_c_f35ck”
<mike_c_f35ck@y…> wrote:

At the mast step, I have a mast collar the same as at decklevel.
The
space between the outside of the mast and the inside of the
collar
is
not filled with wedges, but with polyester filler. I greased the
mast and inside of the collar before I poured in the filler, so
as
to
make sure the filler does not stick to mast of collar. This tight
fitting wedge can be taken out if necessary.

— In freedomyachts2003@yahoogroups.com, “akusinitz”
<akusinitz@y…> wrote:

I’m trying to figure out a better way to secure my masts at the
steps (not the deck). The holes for the set screws on the
mainmast
had worn and the previous owner made an oak insert for the base
of
the mast (with cutouts to allow cables and water through) and
the
screws now go into the oak and this seems to prevent the mast
from
rotating. The rubber wedges on between the mast and step collar
don’t seem adequate as the move and I can see the base of the
mast
shifts slightly.
On the mizzen the holes have not worn yet but I’m wondering if
anyone has any good ideas on the best way to deal with these
things.
Thanks
Alan