Mast Fast'nin

[Freedumb]

I recently got my cp16. upon the initial clean up I salvaged all the bits of rope, clips pins, even a pair of sunglasses pasted to the side of the hull underneath a roll of paper towels melted down by water. My question is simply this... I found no bolt to go through the foot of the mast when she's stepped. I only found a through pin with a cotter on on end, it fits perfectly. I have stepped the mast and it seems very stable, granted I have never sailed an inch in my life. I need to know if it is necessary to tighten the foot inward onto the mast with a bolt and nut or if a pin will do the trick.

My boat is ugly, and when got her she had an awfully nasty split in about three different directions from where she blew over onto her trailer's fender in a nasty storm. In the process she bent the trailer just after where it tilts. The result is that when the boat is hooked up behing the gmc her bow has a good view of the ground. I don't think it's unsafe to pull her like this, I've never launched her and I don't know what if any negative side effect this may have on the way things function when I get her down the ramp. Any input would be of help. I'm a kind of DIY guy with a little auto body back ground I've got about 70(Seventy) bucks in her and after a bit more clean up I'll be ready for the lake (keep in mind I got the boat for nothing, other than the labor of righting her on the trailer, and fixing the dagum hole). I think some interior cabin paint will be in  order soon after a good scraping. But I'm going to try to get in some lake time. Around here I've heard sailing is best around  Sept-Dec and that's upon me so I've got the itch!.

Aaron aboard Ophelia

[Paul]

My CP16 has a bolt, two washers, and a wing nut to fasten the mast to the step.  A trip to the hardware store could buy a little security.  I'm not certain a cotter pin on a rod is secure enough.

In addition, you may want to check the integrity of the compression post.  It's bolted to the plywood bulkhead.  Check for water and/or rotten wood in this area.

Good luck.

[spaul]

OK Freedumb,
Sounds like you've got a great deal, that's the best way to stricken with the sailing bug. Do get a stainless bolt, some washers and I like the nuts with nylon keepers inside. Nylock I believe they're called. Sailing will bring on vibrations and I'm the kinda guy who likes things in my favor so the wind nut won't fall off.
Since you're an auto body guy perhaps someone in a body shop could straighten your trailer frame for you on the cheap. I think it might help in launching and retrieving your new gem. Paul is right, I don't like cotter pins much, I do use a lot of circle rings and if a washer is behind it you might be just fine. I found cotter pins dangerous to feet and hands when you least need that bloody gash.
Good having you hear on board.

Steve Paul
cp27/2 "IM PAUL SIVE"

[Freedumb]

Thanks guys, everyone one the website so far has been really friendly and patient with me. I'm on-board absolutely. I'm going to post some pics featuring todays inside wash-out in the gallery, so everyone can see my little "gem" (as Paul so graciously put it). Thanks everyone!

Aaron aboard Ophelia

[B.Hart]

Welcome aboard freedumb, the mast should have a stainless bolt. SAVE THE COM-PACS

[multimedia_smith]

SPAUL has the right idea... my stainless wingnut vibrated off one windy day... I now use a nylon wingnut from my Minkota trolling motor spare parts pack.  Haven't had any trouble since.
Dale

http://www.com-pacowners.com/gallery2/displayimage.php?album=49&pos=5

[Paul]

Good Idea.