Powder coat/anodize new mast step?

[jay2rocket]

Another option you could consider, I am using this for my mast Al step - which does not touch any metal: (after making sure the slots are wide enough to clear insulating sleeves around keel bolts) prime with Interlux Interprime 820 then paint with Interlux Perfection Plus. Per Interlux instructions, need to lightly sandblast - or thoroughly hand sand - then paint as soon as possible, no more than an hour. This is to not let the fresh surface oxidize.

One advantage to paint is that, if it chips in the future, you can touch up in place.

For the keel bolt sleeves McMaster sells Garolite LE tubes that you can easily cut to length - is much easier to cut than G-10 (fiberglass) and in this application will work as well (they also sell Delrin tubes). For the washers at the keel bolt nuts, also from McMaster, you can buy washers made out of Delrin or glass-filled nylon.

https://www.mcmaster.com/plastics/sh...lite-le-tubes/

https://www.mcmaster.com/plastics/sh...l-resin-tubes/

https://www.mcmaster.com/standard-wa...cetal-plastic/

https://www.mcmaster.com/standard-wa...nylon-plastic/

-Jason

[col50]

That's a beautiful mast step, but it needs some generously sized drainage slots or holes that will not plug with all the crud that comes down the mast as time goes by.
Whatever you do, don't use powder-coating; it does not last on a boat.

[00X]

Originally Posted by jay2rocket

Another option you could consider, I am using this for my mast Al step - which does not touch any metal: (after making sure the slots are wide enough to clear insulating sleeves around keel bolts) prime with Interlux Interprime 820 then paint with Interlux Perfection Plus. Per Interlux instructions, need to lightly sandblast - or thoroughly hand sand - then paint as soon as possible, no more than an hour. This is to not let the fresh surface oxidize.

One advantage to paint is that, if it chips in the future, you can touch up in place.

For the keel bolt sleeves McMaster sells Garolite LE tubes that you can easily cut to length - is much easier to cut than G-10 (fiberglass) and in this application will work as well (they also sell Delrin tubes). For the washers at the keel bolt nuts, also from McMaster, you can buy washers made out of Delrin or glass-filled nylon.

https://www.mcmaster.com/plastics/sh...lite-le-tubes/

https://www.mcmaster.com/plastics/sh...l-resin-tubes/

https://www.mcmaster.com/standard-wa...cetal-plastic/

https://www.mcmaster.com/standard-wa...nylon-plastic/

-Jason

Thanks. Those tubes may work without me having to wider the slots in the step.

I have a bunch of 3/8 G-10 sheet left over from thru hull backing plates so im going to machine large washers from it. They will go between the mast step and a pair of stainless washers on top of the G-10.

I think im still going to go with anodizing, but your suggestion makes sense.

[00X]

Originally Posted by col50

That's a beautiful mast step, but it needs some generously sized drainage slots or holes that will not plug with all the crud that comes down the mast as time goes by.
Whatever you do, don't use powder-coating; it does not last on a boat.

Thank you. I machined a bunch of drainage channels into the bottom of the mast step. Any water that comes down the mast will run into the center slot and out the bottom channels. Im also going to drill a large hole in the back of the step just in case the channels get clogged.

Im also thinkig of enlarging the opening in the bottom of the mast and then epoxy coat the base of the mast as much as i can. Hopefully i dont have to cut any of the mast off.