Can You Detach the Standing Rigging Brackets?

[Jetexas]

As I'm continuing the progress on my Starwind, I've hit a bit of a snag. On the port side, pictured here, the wall has some delamination, and while it's not rotten all the way through, I'd like to go ahead and replace it. However, as you can see, the standing rigging bracket is very securely attached to it. Is it safe to briefly unbolt this bracket to replace the wall or do I need a crane on the mast to loosen any standing rigging?

On the starboard side, the wall is still in good shape, but I seem to have a leak in the cabin where the standing rigging bolts pass through the ceiling. Again, to properly seal that I'd have to loosen the bracket on the side to get sealant around the bolts. No idea if that's safe with the mast up.

Thanks for any info on this.

[Zanshin]

Normally I would reduce the tension on all the other standing rigging to a bare minimum and then remove the one in question. Which one do you need to remove (fore/aft/foreward port, etc...) and if the tension is released would the others suffice to keep the mast upright when it has no tension?

[Jetexas]

The two I need to service are the port and starboard aft locations. And that's my question, are the others sufficient and safe to keep the mast upright if I remove one?

[speciald@ocens.]

Use a halyard to stabilize the mast as you repair one side at a time.

[SkiprJohn]

I believe speciald has the right idea. The chainplate in your photo appears to be a combination? Is there more than one shroud attached to it? I understand what you are asking is that if you can unbolt the chainplate from the bulkhead, replace the bulkhead and bolt the chainplate back to the bulkhead. Yes you can without removing your mast. Make certain that you are in a quiet marina, no storms coming soon and that you use both jib and main halyard to support your mast on the port side. After you've finished the port side and when you are ready to do the starboard side move your halyards over to the starboard to support the mast before removing any rigging.
regards

[senormechanico]

I agree with SkiprJohn.
Just use common sense.
If you're happy with the rig tuning, count the turns that you relieve on each turnbuckle so you can return to the same tension settings (more or less). If you're not sure, get a rigger to tune it after the work is done.

Steve B.