Mast leaning forward (new mast step)

[amateur_expert]

Hi,

I am a beginner sailboat owner and have been working on a '74 Laguna Windrose since Feb 2012.. so I am trying to learn to sail while having learned (and still learning) how to build/fabricate & repair the darn thing!
I have replaced the mast bracket along with the cracked damaged fiberglass below it, I did this last year and beefed it up about a half an inch.

I purchased the replacement bracket from Dwyer Mast and although they have VERY LIMITED tech support and a very limited desire to offer advice on the application of their products, they did tell me that the mast is supposed to rest flat on the bracket (I guess it's actually called the "step"?). This makes sense to achieve a solid mast IMO.

With that being said, mine is definitely leaning forward. This happened b/c the surface on the deck is slightly slanted.

My question is this: Should I use a "shim" under the mast (if so what kind?) to level the mast or should I just leave it flat and thereby slanted.
Or should I remove the bracket and build up the fiberglass??

Any input greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

Shawn T
Wichita KS

[neilpride]

Better fiberglass, i guess you fix it without taking measures and now the step area is out of dimensions, you can use shims to get the desire mast level and later use glass to macht the shims... Just a idea..

[HappyMdRSailor]

Just make a wedge shaped shim, or (base) to bolt between the deck and the step... Starboard is what comes immediately to mind...

[amateur_expert]

Thanks for the replies neil & happy,

I have some of that high density plastic (black marine grade).. maybe I will make a wedge the size of the entire bracket. Place it btwn the mast bracket and the deck sounds like a good idea.

[amateur_expert]

Originally Posted by neilpride

Better fiberglass, i guess you fix it without taking measures and now the step area is out of dimensions, you can use shims to get the desire mast level and later use glass to macht the shims... Just a idea..

I placed the new bracket in basically the same place as the original one was. It may actually be slightly forward though so might be getting pulled aft a bit from the backstay possibly putting more pressure on the forestay; however it is centered above the original crossmember.

The area all around the bracket is slanted, when repairing the fiberglass I just followed the curvature of the deck.. also there was no raised/level area that the mast sat on so it might have been leaning before heck I don't really know!

[neilpride]

no, looking at the pics with some backstay tension you just make things worst, you mention a repair in FG at the mast base deck area , just 2 extra layers of mat make a diference, now looking at the boat, the mast is small and rigging loads are small i guess, yes probably some shim of any hard plastic do the the trick , the mast need to be vertical , as far is posible....

[neilpride]

check if the the perimeter of the mast at the base is suported even in the bracket...

[HappyMdRSailor]

Originally Posted by amateur_expert

Thanks for the replies neil & happy,

I have some of that high density plastic (black marine grade).. maybe I will make a wedge the size of the entire bracket. Place it btwn the mast bracket and the deck sounds like a good idea.

You got it!

Quick fix with a saw, drill, sander.... Will be as good/better as leveling the step with glass, but 1/10th the work... Your loads are going to be pretty low...

[amateur_expert]

Originally Posted by neilpride

no, looking at the pics with some backstay tension you just make things worst, you mention a repair in FG at the mast base deck area , just 2 extra layers of mat make a diference, now looking at the boat, the mast is small and rigging loads are small i guess, yes probably some shim of any hard plastic do the the trick , the mast need to be vertical , as far is posible....

Thanks again Neil,

Yes I did add fiberglass. I grinded out most of the old glass, it was all cracked and discolored... I ended up with a mostly paper-thin area with several holes so a complete redo was in order. I added two very thick layers roughly 2'x2' on top and then about 25 thin layers inside. The finished product was about 3/4" thicker where the mast bracket rested (which is what I wanted since there is no interior vertical support, only horizontal crossmembers which were broken).

After the repair I noticed that the mast was actually slightly higher but not all that much b/c previously there was a 1/4" piece of fiberglass siliconed under the old bracket. It did seem like it was about 1/4" higher or so. I had to adjust all the stays. I also had to lengthen the backstay and shorten the forestay to put the mast flat so now I am second-guessing that now! What do you think about trimming the bottom of the mast at an angle (someone from another forum suggested that)?

Thanks

[HappyMdRSailor]

Originally Posted by amateur_expert

Thanks again Neil,

Y The finished product was about 3/4" thicker where the mast bracket rested (which is what I wanted since there is no interior vertical support, only horizontal crossmembers which were broken).

Thanks

2 things..... IF you have no compression post in this boat, you had better make sure that your (hopefully) rebuilt cross members are bullet proof.... You are going to have all of your glass work rendered useless if not...

DON'T trim the mast!

[amateur_expert]

Hopefully I will be able to adjust the mast later by the stays and slightly bending of the mast.

I fabricated a wedge from HDPE plastic, here's a pic.. I will post pics of finished work. The plan is to eyeball the boat with the toungejack like it sits in the water and then check my wedge for level.

[HappyMdRSailor]

When I closed my eyes tightly and tried to send you a picture of what I was thinking.... It was exactly as you have fabricated.....

[amateur_expert]

Thanks for all the input!!! I attached a pic of the finished product (the goop is squirting out a little more than I typically like but it's sealed!).

[HappyMdRSailor]

Lookin' good!

Make sure your bootstripe is level on the trailer when you check for mast rake...