I have looked at a 1986 F-36 CK for sale. One thing that troubles me
is the stainless radar mount that appears to be bolted or screwed in a
total of four places, two on each side of the mizzen mast. The wiring
enters the mizzen through a hole in front of the mast at a level a few
inches below the upper arms of the mast mount. I do not know the size
of he hole for the wiring.
The mount essentially consists of a U-shaped, horizontal platform
supporting the Furuno antenna and attaching to the mast at the sides.
Welded to this are two 45 degree pieces that slope back and down to
attach to the sides of the mast.
Expanding a digital photo, it looks like four ss fasteners enter the
mast at each of the four attachment points. Including the entry for
wiring, this is 17 holes in the mast.
Would this worry those of you who have experience with the CF masts?
That would concern me. You might want to check with the guys at
Freedom. Although they don’t build many sailboats many of the old
guard are still there.
I have looked at a 1986 F-36 CK for sale. One thing that troubles me
is the stainless radar mount that appears to be bolted or screwed
in a
total of four places, two on each side of the mizzen mast. The
wiring
enters the mizzen through a hole in front of the mast at a level a
few
inches below the upper arms of the mast mount. I do not know the
size
of he hole for the wiring.
The mount essentially consists of a U-shaped, horizontal platform
supporting the Furuno antenna and attaching to the mast at the
sides.
Welded to this are two 45 degree pieces that slope back and down to
attach to the sides of the mast.
Expanding a digital photo, it looks like four ss fasteners enter the
mast at each of the four attachment points. Including the entry for
wiring, this is 17 holes in the mast.
Would this worry those of you who have experience with the CF masts?
I agree that you should check with Freedom. My concern would not be
the number of holes, but the type of fasteners uses. Freedom re-did
my CF masts (adding gooseneck and sailtrack) when my F40 was re-
rigged from wishbones to “standard” booms in about 1982. There are
a bazillion holes in the mast right up the back side of each. The
track is pop-riveted through the holes. My thought is that anything
bolted through the mast wall should be a “toggle type” bolt (NOT
a “spreading” Molly-type fastener, and not a threaded screw). Since
you can’t access the back side to put a nut on it, this will
stay put and
not induce a “wedging” type of stress on the mast.
Obviously, the size of the holes (in relation to the mast diameter)
is of consideration as well.
I would HOPE that the (presumably) larger hole through which the
wiring passes is placed “within” the “framework” of the radar
support as opposed to below it. The framework will add rigidity to
the mast due to the “truss” effect and minimize the flexion within
that area, thus offsetting (somewhat) the weakening due to the
larger hole.
If I were adding a radar unit, I’d consider running the cable down
the front side of the mast to deck level in a conduit, but since the
hole is “already there”…
I have looked at a 1986 F-36 CK for sale. One thing that troubles
me
is the stainless radar mount that appears to be bolted or screwed
in a
total of four places, two on each side of the mizzen mast. The
wiring
enters the mizzen through a hole in front of the mast at a level a
few
inches below the upper arms of the mast mount. I do not know the
size
of he hole for the wiring.
The mount essentially consists of a U-shaped, horizontal platform
supporting the Furuno antenna and attaching to the mast at the
sides.
Welded to this are two 45 degree pieces that slope back and down to
attach to the sides of the mast.
Expanding a digital photo, it looks like four ss fasteners enter
the
mast at each of the four attachment points. Including the entry for
wiring, this is 17 holes in the mast.
Would this worry those of you who have experience with the CF
masts?