Mast extension and insert - for your viewing pleasure

[Chotu]

Figured I’d post up any pictures I get of the mast extension and insert.

Here’s one.

This is the extension piece (to the right) and insert (to the left)

Getting close on the fit.

Tomorrow, it’ll be screwed together. Or at least they will start that part.

[MicHughV]

nice looking boot

sure look forward to see the finished product.

[Chotu]

Originally Posted by MicHughV

nice looking boot

sure look forward to see the finished product.

I believe that’s the standard issue metalworking boot. Ha ha

[Chotu]

Here is a little lineup by hand. The actual screw job starts tomorrow.

Now where was that poster saying that my metal guy has no skills?

He made that on a brake. 58” long. Dead accurate. That is an artisan.


For belt and suspenders, he will be welding it too. Won’t be able to slip at all.

Just those slightly too long screws to keep an eye on and swap out at the first sign of any problem

[RaymondR]

I'd pull it apart, drill some 5/8" or so holes in the mast sections, re-assemble it and plug weld the holes and weld the joint and forget about the screws and all the potential problems they will bring.

[MicHughV]

What is that black stuff on the one section of mast ???

Looks like a good fit from my perch here on the CF.

[Chotu]

Originally Posted by RaymondR

I'd pull it apart, drill some 5/8" or so holes in the mast sections, re-assemble it and plug weld the holes and weld the joint and forget about the screws and all the potential problems they will bring.

That would be an excellent way to get the project dropped off at the marina incomplete.

There may be a cultural difference between Australia and United States, but this guy would be severely pissed off and would not do the project if I changed it last minute like that.

Then all my plans would be ruined and I would have no mast.

[Chotu]

Originally Posted by MicHughV

What is that black stuff on the one section of mast ???

Looks like a good fit from my perch here on the CF.

That’s coal tar pitch. I’m a traditionalist don’t you know. Ha ha ha

It’s beat up paint from the process of what’s going on. Need to touch things up when it’s done.

It’s also different colors because there was hardware pulled (and de-welded) from that area. There were cleats and a winch and stuff at the very base of the original mast section. It was pretty bonkers

A good picture for those anti-Welders. Everything on this mast was welded already. Including the gooseneck which can be seen in these pics.

Every single item on this mast except the cleats and that winch handle pocket is welded onto the mast.

And everybody see why I am doing the extension now? Look at the base of that mast.. Look at where the gooseneck is. It was a stubby little thing because it was mounted on the cabin top on the original boat. The extension is raising the gooseneck up to the proper location and making the length of the mast the same length as in the plans. It steps on the deck in my design rather than on the cabin top, so it was missing a piece at the bottom.

[Chotu]

By the way, speaking of touching up the paint.. what do I need to do with that new aluminum? Self etching chromate primer? Followed by the paint?

Straight to rustoleum without priming?

[RaymondR]

Originally Posted by Chotu

That would be an excellent way to get the project dropped off at the marina incomplete.

There may be a cultural difference between Australia and United States, but this guy would be severely pissed off and would not do the project if I changed it last minute like that.

Then all my plans would be ruined and I would have no mast.

It's what we'd call a one carton re-definition of the work order.

[Baby tug]

I’m glad it’s finally coming together for you I’m too old for all that stress

[Chotu]

Originally Posted by Baby tug

I’m glad it’s finally coming together for you I’m too old for all that stress

You and me both. And probably a teenager is too old for this level of stress. Ha ha ha.

I’m supposed to keep mine down from the recent heart attack.

But finally, it’s getting less stressful actually. Believe it or not.

The stressful part was not being able to do things myself because of issues with boat building materials. It was also stressful not being able to get this metal work done.

I have hurricane damage on the outside that I can’t fix because it involves epoxy. Cosmetic damage. But a fair amount that makes the boat look ugly. Plus I have all of the wrecked stuff that I have to fix from workers being on the boat. They destroyed a lot of stuff. But when it comes to just putting together the interior, it’s not stressful at all. It’s actually kind of fun. I say that now…. Ha ha ha.

But being able to be out on the boat and working on building an interior shouldn’t be too stressful I hope. As long as I can keep the isolation factor down and still be able to go do things.

[Benz]

You can get zinc chromate primer in a can.
I used a two-part chromate primer and Petit Easypoxy (not really epoxy at all, just a way to charge more for enamel paint) on my mast, and it lasted for years. I've now just gone to raw aluminum, which I prefer, but it's a big job to get all that old paint off.

[rslifkin]

Originally Posted by Chotu

You and me both. And probably a teenager is too old for this level of stress. Ha ha ha.

I’m supposed to keep mine down from the recent heart attack.

But finally, it’s getting less stressful actually. Believe it or not.

The stressful part was not being able to do things myself because of issues with boat building materials. It was also stressful not being able to get this metal work done.

I have hurricane damage on the outside that I can’t fix because it involves epoxy. Cosmetic damage. But a fair amount that makes the boat look ugly. Plus I have all of the wrecked stuff that I have to fix from workers being on the boat. They destroyed a lot of stuff. But when it comes to just putting together the interior, it’s not stressful at all. It’s actually kind of fun. I say that now…. Ha ha ha.

But being able to be out on the boat and working on building an interior shouldn’t be too stressful I hope. As long as I can keep the isolation factor down and still be able to go do things.

I think you're finally getting close to the point in the project where you can start using the boat. And everything else can just get done when you can (or when you find a place that can do some part of it), rather than being urgent and preventing you from doing anything else.

[neilpride]

Originally Posted by Chotu

By the way, speaking of touching up the paint.. what do I need to do with that new aluminum? Self etching chromate primer? Followed by the paint?

Straight to rustoleum without priming?

Nice job from the metal guy, now, i believe your mast its white? and you want to paint the new bottom section? Awlgrip its your best friend if you want it to last a few years... ahhh dont forget to drill your new wires exit hole at the base of the mast, and if they run through the mast step its better to fit a through deck swan neck, just to be sure you dont suffer leaks inside.. Congratz