The never-ending project to fill my hole in the ocean while bailing it out

Preparing for Sailing Season '04

- Page 9 -

Description

I've now replaced the new sheaves that came with the new masthead with 1/4" sheaves, the wire halyards with 1/4" StaSet-X line. I've added a spinnaker crane this year while I'm at it.
The trick to switching out sheaves is to position the mast so the spreaders are pointing up and down; then the clevis pins slide in and out without losing the sheaves and separator plate.  (Apr. 10, 2004)

Another view from the top of the mast. I've still got to remount the Windex and the VHF antenna.

This is the old-style aluminum spreader bracket, which I attempted to replace today with the stainless steel upgrade. I removed the old ones, but ran into a roadblock with the instructions for installing the new ones -- there were no instructions --  and there was a "mast compression tube" included in the kit that apparently needs to go up inside the mast for a bolt to run through. Thanks to friends in the C22 discussion group, I've been advised of a few tricks that will accomplish it, maybe tomorrow ... if I can find an old hose or 14' of PVC pipe.  (Apr. 10, 2004)

Stainless Steel Spreader Brackets (Oval Mast) Upgrade Kit -- Catalina Direct Product #: D109

The next day, using a length of garden hose, I drilled a 1/2" hole through the end and inserted the compression tube through it, slit the hose on both sides from its end to the hole/compression tube, then tightly wrapped the end with a small rubber band. I measured and marked the hose so I'd know when the tube reached the 5/16" holes I'd drilled through the mast. Inserting the hose/tube into the base, maneuvering it up around the mast wiring harness and antenna cable that exit on the port side base of the mast, it easily pushed up to the mark on the hose. With a helper at the hose end, using an awl I lined up the holes and compression tube and inserted a bolt. (Apr. 11, 2004)

Both 4" bolts from the Catalina Direct kit I'd purchased were about 5/8" too long and couldn't be tightened to the mast (wonderful)!  On Day 3 of what should have been a minor project, I bought two 3 1/2" stainless steel bolts which fit perfectly. After  struggling with a frustrating Catalina Direct kit, despite no instructions and bolts that were too long, the new-style spreader brackets are installed. I removed the garden hose with one firm pull, attached the spreaders, and can finally move on -- three days later -- having finally completed what should have been about a two-hour job!  (Apr. 12, 2004)

The original mast step plate. (Note the AquaSignal deck connector for the mast wiring, and the Blue Sea cable clam for the VHF radio antenna coax cable up to the masthead, both of which I installed last season as part of my rewiring project.)

A view of the old-style mast step plate from the starboard side.

The new mast step plate and halyard plate, from the port side. (Apr. 17, 2004)

The new mast step and halyard plates, from the starboard side.

The mast step, turning blocks, and deck connectors (with the solar panel behind) -- April, 2007.