Announcements
New Discussions
Previous Thread
Next Thread
Print Thread
Rate Thread
Hop To
Page 1 of 3 1 2 3
First time out, Sort of! Man those masts are tough, Sort of! #189524
08/29/09 06:40 PM
08/29/09 06:40 PM
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 42
Ocala, FL
ocalacat Offline OP
newbie
ocalacat  Offline OP
newbie

Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 42
Ocala, FL
So after having my H16 for a month now, and not having any luck finding someone to go out with me for the first time, I decided it was now or never.

I've never sailed before mind you, and I've been a little apprehensive, considering not only do I not know how to sail but, how am I going to step the mast by myself. After reading post after post on the different methods proposed by experienced sailors, I at first thought, maybe this isn't something I should try by myself the first time.

Oh well, I wouldn't have even thought twice about it 20 or so years ago but I'm a bit more cautious nowadays.

So I get to the boat ramp (a rarely used ramp on a small lake so I could take my time) I did plan to ask someone to help me step the mast if there was someone around , but there wasn't, so I said to myself Just do it!

Ok, I get everything ready and slide the mast into place. I push down on the base of the mast and get it pinned very easily. Looking Good!

Next I make sure all shroud lines are clear of the corners, a little clean and jerk and up she goes. All the way up, but not quite seated so I give a little jerk and push and then pop! She seats and settles in.

At this point I lean my shoulder into it and pick up the line that I ran through the forestay, around the winch on the trailer, and pull it snug and cleat it off. Holy Crap! I did it! and it was easy!

Now, ever so gently, I climb down from the tramp to go connect the forestay to the bridle and what do you know, the line is twisted with the jib halyard, I think? As I'm looking everything over, trying to figure out how to fix the problem without lowering the mast, I see that the mast base has ripped out of the mast on one side. Uh Oh!

Ok so now I'm praying that it holds together until I can get it down. I un-cleat the forestay line and just as I start to lower it, POP! the other side breaks loose, and like in slow motion I see the base of the mast hanging in mid air. I try as hard as I can to keep it from crashing down and do pretty good until the weight and momentum nearly twisted my wrist off.

So, like the post title said, Today was my firt time out, sort of! and those masts are really tough! sort of!

I sure would like to go sailing one day!

I will post some pictures of the damage so that hopefully someone can help me figure out what I need to do to get it repaired. Unfortunately, right now, I can't remember my user name and password for the pix site to host the photo's.


Jody Phillips
81 H16
-- Have You Seen This? --
Re: First time out, Sort of! Man those masts are tough, Sort of! [Re: ocalacat] #189525
08/29/09 06:46 PM
08/29/09 06:46 PM
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 2,844
42.904444 N; 88.008586 W
Todd_Sails Offline
Carpal Tunnel
Todd_Sails  Offline
Carpal Tunnel

Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 2,844
42.904444 N; 88.008586 W
Well, hope you weren't injured.

Your plan sounded good, how old was the mast base and rivets, etc?


F-18 Infusion
#626- SOLD it!

'Long Live the Legend of Chris Kyle'
Re: First time out, Sort of! Man those masts are tough, Sort of! [Re: Todd_Sails] #189526
08/29/09 07:18 PM
08/29/09 07:18 PM
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 749
Santa Cruz, CA
SurfCityRacing Offline
old hand
SurfCityRacing  Offline
old hand

Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 749
Santa Cruz, CA
Bummer! Good try though. What year is the boat?

We'll get you on the water!

J

Re: First time out, Sort of! Man those masts are tough, Sort [Re: SurfCityRacing] #189527
08/29/09 08:38 PM
08/29/09 08:38 PM
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 2,921
Michigan
PTP Offline
Carpal Tunnel
PTP  Offline
Carpal Tunnel

Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 2,921
Michigan
I remember the first time I stepped a mast on a cat. NOT FUN... partly because it was a 6.0
Next time, swear to yourself that if the mast is falling, let it go and just get out of the way... it ain't worth a serious bonk on the head or even a badly sprained wrist.

keep with it, it is all worth it.
anyone out there anywhere near him that could head out with him first time around?

Re: First time out, Sort of! Man those masts are tough, Sort [Re: PTP] #189529
08/29/09 09:03 PM
08/29/09 09:03 PM
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 6,049
Sebring, Florida.
Timbo Offline
Carpal Tunnel
Timbo  Offline
Carpal Tunnel

Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 6,049
Sebring, Florida.
And always, before you step the mast, take a good look up and around where you intend to rig up and launch, for overhead electrical wires. Many experienced people have been killed pushing their masts into those when at a new location and they forgot to look up first.


Blade F16
#777
Re: First time out, Sort of! Man those masts are tough, Sort [Re: Timbo] #189530
08/29/09 09:28 PM
08/29/09 09:28 PM
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 42
Ocala, FL
ocalacat Offline OP
newbie
ocalacat  Offline OP
newbie

Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 42
Ocala, FL
All good! boat is an 81 and I don't know if the mast base is OEM but I suspect it is. I'll try to post some pic's tomorrow as I'm not quite sure what to do, The rivet ripped out of the mast on one side and ripped through and broke off a piece of the base on the other side.

I'm pretty worried that I won't be able to get the base securely back in the mast?

Timbo, don't worry! I checked really good before raising the mast. Been reading up on all of this for a month now.



Jody Phillips
81 H16
Re: First time out, Sort of! Man those masts are tough, Sort [Re: ocalacat] #189532
08/29/09 10:16 PM
08/29/09 10:16 PM

D
DougSnell
Unregistered
DougSnell
Unregistered
D



Ocalacat:

Welcome to the world of catamarans and the great people you will meet. You are in for a fun lifestyle. My first boat was a H-16 and I learrrned a lot from it. I recommend getting this for you as a newbie. There is a whole chapter on the H-16 by one of the best. This book will take years of your learning curve. Hang in there and ask away with questions. You have a new family here reaady and willing to help.

https://store.catsailor.com/pc/viewPrd.asp?idproduct=6437&idcategory=99

Doug

Re: First time out, Sort of! Man those masts are tough, Sort [Re: ] #189535
08/30/09 12:52 AM
08/30/09 12:52 AM
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 1,066
Wellington, FL-Singer Island, ...
cyberspeed Offline
old hand
cyberspeed  Offline
old hand

Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 1,066
Wellington, FL-Singer Island, ...
I will probably be out sailing next Saturday from Singer Island if you want to head out this way.


craig van eaton
Supercat 20
TEAM CYBERSPEED
www.TeamCyberspeed.com
Endurance Series
www.SailSeries.com
Re: First time out, Sort of! Man those masts are tough, Sort of! [Re: ocalacat] #189536
08/30/09 01:14 AM
08/30/09 01:14 AM
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 1,383
Kingston SE South Australia
JeffS Offline
veteran
JeffS  Offline
veteran

Joined: May 2006
Posts: 1,383
Kingston SE South Australia
Originally Posted by ocalacat

I will post some pictures of the damage so that hopefully someone can help me figure out what I need to do to get it repaired. Unfortunately, right now, I can't remember my user name and password for the pix site to host the photo's.

You don't need any other passwords to post pics all you need to do is
Click on the "Full screen reply button" at the bottom of your screen
Then click "file manager"
Then click "Browse"
Select your photo then click "add file"
Repeat the last two steps for each photo
When you have enough photos click "Done adding files"
and it should be fine, if the photos don't load it means their too big and you need to minimise the photo's.
regards


Jeff Southall
Current boats
Nacra 5.8 1703 Animal Scanning Services
Nacra 5.8 1667 Ram Raider
Nacra 18 Square
Arrow 1576
Re: First time out, Sort of! Man those masts are tough, Sort of! [Re: JeffS] #189546
08/30/09 08:29 AM
08/30/09 08:29 AM
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 171
Cary, NC
Storz Offline
member
Storz  Offline
member

Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 171
Cary, NC
Keep with it man, I had the same apprehensions about stepping the mast on my boat. The first time I went out with it I had someone help me, but the 2nd time (even though I had crew) I wanted to see if I could do it alone and I got it!

There are tons of cat sailors in FL, I am sure someone is around to lend a hand smile


Ryan
1983 Isotope
Re: First time out, Sort of! Man those masts are tough, Sort of! [Re: ocalacat] #189547
08/30/09 08:34 AM
08/30/09 08:34 AM
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 5,525
pgp Offline
Carpal Tunnel
pgp  Offline
Carpal Tunnel

Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 5,525
You should come over for the Wildcat regatta in Eustis. Lots of fun, good people. There is usually a contingent of H16s. In any case, we all cut our teeth on that boat so there will be a world of advice for.

The dates are Oct. 2-4. NOR should be here- http://www.1design.net/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=387

Last edited by pgp; 08/30/09 08:36 AM.

Pete Pollard
Blade 702

'When you have a lot of things to do, it's best to get your nap out of the way first.

Re: First time out, Sort of! Man those masts are tough, Sort of! [Re: JeffS] #189552
08/30/09 08:54 AM
08/30/09 08:54 AM
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 42
Ocala, FL
ocalacat Offline OP
newbie
ocalacat  Offline OP
newbie

Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 42
Ocala, FL
Originally Posted by JeffS
Originally Posted by ocalacat

I will post some pictures of the damage so that hopefully someone can help me figure out what I need to do to get it repaired. Unfortunately, right now, I can't remember my user name and password for the pix site to host the photo's.


You don't need any other passwords to post pics all you need to do is
Click on the "Full screen reply button" at the bottom of your screen
Then click "file manager"
Then click "Browse"
Select your photo then click "add file"
Repeat the last two steps for each photo
When you have enough photos click "Done adding files"
and it should be fine, if the photos don't load it means their too big and you need to minimise the photo's.
regards

Thanks, I'll try that.. I'm use to having to host the photo's somewhere so you can post the URL.

Last edited by ocalacat; 08/30/09 09:36 AM.

Jody Phillips
81 H16
Re: First time out, Sort of! Man those masts are tough, Sort of! [Re: ocalacat] #189553
08/30/09 08:56 AM
08/30/09 08:56 AM
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 42
Ocala, FL
ocalacat Offline OP
newbie
ocalacat  Offline OP
newbie

Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 42
Ocala, FL
So here are a few pictures of the damage. Any ideas on what I need to do?

Attached Files
Mast Base 001.jpg (183 downloads)
Mast Base 003.jpg (183 downloads)
Mast Base 004.jpg (182 downloads)

Jody Phillips
81 H16
Re: First time out, Sort of! Man those masts are tough, Sort of! [Re: ocalacat] #189555
08/30/09 09:09 AM
08/30/09 09:09 AM
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 42
Ocala, FL
ocalacat Offline OP
newbie
ocalacat  Offline OP
newbie

Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 42
Ocala, FL
Obviously, I need a new base, but what about the mast itself where the hole for the rivet is ripped out?


Jody Phillips
81 H16
Re: First time out, Sort of! Man those masts are tough, Sort of! [Re: ocalacat] #189558
08/30/09 09:17 AM
08/30/09 09:17 AM
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 4,118
Northfield Mn
Karl_Brogger Offline
Carpal Tunnel
Karl_Brogger  Offline
Carpal Tunnel

Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 4,118
Northfield Mn
Replace the base, and just add a couple more rivets in different locations from the original.

Re: First time out, Sort of! Man those masts are tough, Sort of! [Re: Karl_Brogger] #189560
08/30/09 09:26 AM
08/30/09 09:26 AM
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 42
Ocala, FL
ocalacat Offline OP
newbie
ocalacat  Offline OP
newbie

Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 42
Ocala, FL
Originally Posted by Karl_Brogger
Replace the base, and just add a couple more rivets in different locations from the original.


So just drill some new holes through the mast and the new base? Should I do more than two? Like maybe two on each side as opposed to the original one per side.


Jody Phillips
81 H16
Re: First time out, Sort of! Man those masts are tough, Sort of! [Re: ocalacat] #189562
08/30/09 09:30 AM
08/30/09 09:30 AM
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 4,118
Northfield Mn
Karl_Brogger Offline
Carpal Tunnel
Karl_Brogger  Offline
Carpal Tunnel

Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 4,118
Northfield Mn
Yep! I'd seal it up with some silicone too when you install the new one.

Re: First time out, Sort of! Man those masts are tough, Sort of! [Re: Karl_Brogger] #189564
08/30/09 09:43 AM
08/30/09 09:43 AM
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 195
White Bear Lake, MN
h17racer Offline
member
h17racer  Offline
member

Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 195
White Bear Lake, MN
Hmmm, looks like salt-water corrosion and I see you live in Florida. Check other stress points along with the inside of the mast at the base. Worse case, you may need to cut off a bit of the mast base if further weakened.

Some of you salt-water sailors chime in....how do you best limit the effect of salt-water on alloy masts?

Sail fast, Tom G

Re: First time out, Sort of! Man those masts are tough, Sort of! [Re: h17racer] #189567
08/30/09 09:59 AM
08/30/09 09:59 AM
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 6,049
Sebring, Florida.
Timbo Offline
Carpal Tunnel
Timbo  Offline
Carpal Tunnel

Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 6,049
Sebring, Florida.
If you are going to drill new holes, you can use that same mast base, as you will be drilling all the way through both anyway. Clean up both the mast base and inside the mast, add some goop to seal it, insert, drill, rivet, and step it again.

Oh, and it looks like you didn't have any grease on the ball that goes into the beam (unless you cleaned it off before the photo shoot), you want to put a little bit of something like axel grease or lithium grease or something down into the ball seat so it will rotate easier with less wear. Hobie even sells some small white plastic discs you can put in there, but you can cut up an old plastic milk jug for the same effect.


Blade F16
#777
Re: First time out, Sort of! Man those masts are tough, Sort of! [Re: h17racer] #189571
08/30/09 10:06 AM
08/30/09 10:06 AM
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 984
2017 F18 Americas Site
Dan_Delave Offline
old hand
Dan_Delave  Offline
old hand

Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 984
2017 F18 Americas Site
Just at a quick glance I would say if you want to save some money, you probably did not pay much for the boat, use the same base. Chip off of the base anything that may flake off. Make sure the walls of the mast are no thinner at the 1/2 inches on the bottom as they are above that. A similar thing happened to my boat a bit over 20 years ago when I was sailing H16s. You would like to avoid further electrolysis. You can use a dielectric grease, a teflon compound, or ignore it and just place some silicone sealant on it. There is a foam plug a bit in from the base. While the bottom is off put some extra sealant on that to make sure you mast stays as watertight as you can get it.

Drill in different spots and you should be ready to go. The only time the rivets see any stress is in raising and lowering the mast. While the mast is up it is a compressive load and does not effect the rivets.

Have fun sailing,
Dan

Page 1 of 3 1 2 3

Moderated by  Damon Linkous 

Search

Who's Online Now
0 registered members (), 426 guests, and 84 spiders.
Key: Admin, Global Mod, Mod
Newest Members
Darryl, zorro, CraigJ, PaulEddo2, AUS180
8150 Registered Users
Top Posters(30 Days)
Forum Statistics
Forums26
Topics22,404
Posts267,055
Members8,150
Most Online2,167
Dec 19th, 2022
--Advertisement--
Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.1