Posted by Alan Kusinitz (akusinitz@…>)
I’ve removed the masts on my F-33
several times. I’m not sure if the arrangement is the same as yours but
in case its helpful here’s how it goes.
- Remove booms
- Disconnect all cables at base of mast
- Remove the pins/bolts that go through
the mast step collar into holes in the mast and rubber or wooden wedges. - Remove screws from trim piece where
mast goes through cabin ceiling (on mine only on the mizzen since the main mast
is in in front of the v-berth where there is no trim. (when restepping remember
to hold up trim piece when lowering the mast in or later your out of luck. How
do I know this ? J))). - At this point the crane and rope that
will raise the mast should be attached. Any good rigger can secure it properly
in a balanced way so they can control it moving it off the boat. Its trickier
without spreaders but good riggers handle this type of thing routinely. If I
remember correctly some portion of it loops below the gooseneck. If you have a
light on the front of the mast (I don’t) make sure they position the
ropes so they don’t rip it off. - Unbolt the mast collar on at deck
level. - Try to slide down the mast bushing (
that sit below the aluminum collar) from below. Remember the mast is tapered so
you just lift and haven’t performed step 6 you’ll jam the bushing and
mast and probably lift boat or damage something. If you can’t slide down
the bushing you can lift the mast and it will come up with the aluminum collar
but have someone on deck so it doesn’t come off and roll overboard. - If you used silicon or other bedding compound
below the aluminum collar on deck (which I do) you may need to pry up the
collar a little to loosen the bond. Otherwise between the bond and friction the
crane may lift the boat and put a lot of stress on things.
When restepping the hardest part is
getting the mast centered and getting the bushing in place since it’s a tight
fit. The bushings on mine are like a split ring and I find it best to work from
one end using a rubber hammer and work my way around.
I added spartite just between the aluminum
collar and the mast but don’t remove the collar from the mast.
I suppose its possible to raise the mast
while leaving the deck collar in place if the collar is large enough to allow
the widest part of the mast through and if its truly centered in the collars
(which mine are not). If not centered then the mast will scrape when trying to
pull through the collars.
My rigger hates this since there are 2
masts and a lot of bolts to deal with but it only takes about an hour or less
when done in the proper sequence.
When restepping on mine I have custom
brackets for my boomickers/vang attachment that the two aft bolts of the deck
mast collar go through so I have to make sure this is not forgotten.
When you have them out check for abrasion
at the base of the mast and at deck collar level. This can occur if the mast is
allowed to rotate due to inadequate pinning and wedging at the base. On
my main mast I now have a garhauer custom collar that is secured below deck to
the mast and has turnbuckles to through bolts from two of my bow cleats to
prevent rotation or any up and down motion of in a seaway.
Hope this is helpful.
Alan F-33 Hull # 51 SEAPR
From: FreedomOwnersGroup@yahoogroups.com
[mailto:FreedomOwnersGroup@yahoogroups.com] On
Behalf Of svfantasy@…
Sent: Thursday, June 14, 2007 2:09
PM
To:
FreedomOwnersGroup@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [FreedomOwnersGroup]
mast removal on a Freedom 40 CK
Lance,
I’ll
check through my files and see if I do. But, the only magic to the process is
to use a yard with experience in rigging a carbon mast for removal, then
removing it without causing damage. Other than that, disconnect all wires,
remove the pins in the mast base (mine has two), then, if Spartite was used at
deck level it is possible you might have to break that loose if part of it
adhered to the mast or ring.
I’ve
never done it either, but I believe someone in this group posted his
experience. Anyway, I’ll check and see what I can find.
Jay
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