Mast Replacement

[LettaD]

Hi Ya’ll!

Just wondering if anyone has taken out a keel-stepped mast and replaced it with a mast mounted above deck?

LettaD

[psk125]

Absolutely possible, but why? It is a major change in the design. You would still need a compression post to carry the load to the keel, so there would be minimal difference below deck. Such a switch might mean consulting several different engineers and (if you can find him) the Naval Architect who designed your boat about the requirements and implications. You may have to buy new standing rigging as well as the new mast, because of the different forces involved. Engineers probably only charge $200/hr, with a three hour minimum for a problem like this one, depending upon the size of the boat. (You haven't provided that detail.) The Naval Architect may be insulted by your suggestion and refuse to deface his design. Or he may agree to discuss it at a similar (or higher) fee. You are looking at hefty costs before even throwing away the old mast. If you are wanting a mast that you can raise & lower easily, in a tabernacle, that is a different question. We need more details about the what and why in order to provide better guidance here.

[LettaD]

Below deck where the mast is connected to the plate, the plate has erosion from salt and appears to have only one bolt holding the mast to the plate (as the other 3 bolts seem to be corroding to the plate). Was hoping not to get into major structural issues and welding when we only sail her locally. She is a newly acquired 30’ sailboat and an antique. We love the boat, but think that maybe something should be done to prevent loosening in serious wind/storm conditions. I believe the alternative would be to find someone to lift the mast and reinforce it where it attaches to the base. Any feedback and/or suggestions would be appreciated.

[chrisr]

i suggest that it will be a much cheaper and in the end more satisfactory solution to lift the mast and repair the mast step

cheers,

[Manateeman]

Both above posts correct. What boat. Where. Anything will help.
Some photos or a sketch please.
Otherwise it’s just guessing.
The manatee crew

[chris95040]

Originally Posted by LettaD

Below deck where the mast is connected to the plate, the plate has erosion from salt and appears to have only one bolt holding the mast to the plate (as the other 3 bolts seem to be corroding to the plate). Was hoping not to get into major structural issues and welding when we only sail her locally. She is a newly acquired 30’ sailboat and an antique. We love the boat, but think that maybe something should be done to prevent loosening in serious wind/storm conditions. I believe the alternative would be to find someone to lift the mast and reinforce it where it attaches to the base. Any feedback and/or suggestions would be appreciated.

I don’t understand how you get from this to ‘deck stepped mast’. It’s like deciding to turn your car into a convertible because you got a flat tire, what am I missing?

[Knotical]

Originally Posted by LettaD

Below deck where the mast is connected to the plate, the plate has erosion from salt and appears to have only one bolt holding the mast to the plate (as the other 3 bolts seem to be corroding to the plate). Was hoping not to get into major structural issues and welding when we only sail her locally. She is a newly acquired 30’ sailboat and an antique. We love the boat, but think that maybe something should be done to prevent loosening in serious wind/storm conditions. I believe the alternative would be to find someone to lift the mast and reinforce it where it attaches to the base. Any feedback and/or suggestions would be appreciated.

What will you do when the deck plate of the new (deck-stepped) mast gets corroded?

As others are suggesting, take it off and do a proper repair - to get you going have a rigger take a look at it, if you don’t know any riggers in your area ask a few local sailboat owners for reference. Even though the mast is held in compression I wouldn’t be comfortable with only one bolt holding it to the plate.