ebb
03-08-2011, 01:07 PM
SEARCH does not comne up with an actual thread.
There is a thread called "Mast step / Core",
but it deals with the cabin deck underneath the mast step.
There have been discussions, and ole fisheye here part of them, but
they were part of other threads. And a real chore to find again.
The A/C mast step upon which the cast aluminum insert in the mast base was attached to, mortised into
is - according to the one litlgull has - a 1" thick high tech thin veneer phenolic disk.
It to this day shows no sign of deterioration even though underneath it in the composite deck some of the balsa core was rotten. Fresh water inside the mast getting into unsealed wire holes, no doubt.
But some owners have had problems with these mast steps.
GAROLITE:
As you know Tritons have the same mast extrusion as the A/C. And basically the same maststep setup.
So when the ALBERG FLEET breakfast this last Sunday turned to that subject, there was animated discussion about how that corrosion welded casting was gotten out of the mast end.
At least two Triton owners admitted to having sawzalled 2 or 3 inches off the damn bottom! No kidding.
There are probably a few tedious ways to get it out of there - and still keep the original length of the mast.
What was really interesting is that I could hear the code "G-10" being bantied about.
And Mike pulled out some 8X10 copies of what he was doing on his mast.
G-10 refers to an epoxy grade - M-110 hard - Exterior Garolite that looks like green polyester frp.
This 1" Garolite is made with fiberglass cloth and epoxy resin. (McMaster-Carr pg3587).
Mike made a nice circular base like the original mast step AND a plug heel fitting that fits into the bottom of the mast out of this stuff. He was also incorporating a four sided s.s. block turning plate.
I didn't get a chance to find out how he was going to attach what to what, but it's sure to be very straight forward.
Mike had added a couple inches of pvc tube to take internal mast wires thru the deck as designed.
I'm of the persuation, like some others around the table, that electric wires and coxial should come out the side of the mast and enter the deck thru watertite fittings. Inside the mast should be able to drain out on the maststep.
There is a thread called "Mast step / Core",
but it deals with the cabin deck underneath the mast step.
There have been discussions, and ole fisheye here part of them, but
they were part of other threads. And a real chore to find again.
The A/C mast step upon which the cast aluminum insert in the mast base was attached to, mortised into
is - according to the one litlgull has - a 1" thick high tech thin veneer phenolic disk.
It to this day shows no sign of deterioration even though underneath it in the composite deck some of the balsa core was rotten. Fresh water inside the mast getting into unsealed wire holes, no doubt.
But some owners have had problems with these mast steps.
GAROLITE:
As you know Tritons have the same mast extrusion as the A/C. And basically the same maststep setup.
So when the ALBERG FLEET breakfast this last Sunday turned to that subject, there was animated discussion about how that corrosion welded casting was gotten out of the mast end.
At least two Triton owners admitted to having sawzalled 2 or 3 inches off the damn bottom! No kidding.
There are probably a few tedious ways to get it out of there - and still keep the original length of the mast.
What was really interesting is that I could hear the code "G-10" being bantied about.
And Mike pulled out some 8X10 copies of what he was doing on his mast.
G-10 refers to an epoxy grade - M-110 hard - Exterior Garolite that looks like green polyester frp.
This 1" Garolite is made with fiberglass cloth and epoxy resin. (McMaster-Carr pg3587).
Mike made a nice circular base like the original mast step AND a plug heel fitting that fits into the bottom of the mast out of this stuff. He was also incorporating a four sided s.s. block turning plate.
I didn't get a chance to find out how he was going to attach what to what, but it's sure to be very straight forward.
Mike had added a couple inches of pvc tube to take internal mast wires thru the deck as designed.
I'm of the persuation, like some others around the table, that electric wires and coxial should come out the side of the mast and enter the deck thru watertite fittings. Inside the mast should be able to drain out on the maststep.