Removing Pin with Mast Stepped

[Chief]

This may or may not be a simple physics question but I am curious what response the group might have. Is it safe to remove the mast pin (or bolt) from the tabernacle while the mast is stepped? I must add a bail at the tabernacle and plan to make use of the pin as a through-bolt. I am curious if I will need to take the mast down or if I can safely remove the pin, position the bail, and then return the pin to its rightful place. My impression is the shrouds and stays are the load-bearing part of the rig and the pin simply keeps the mast foot from being jarred off the step. I could very well be wrong, though, and will appreciate any feedback. Thanks.

[MacGyver]

With the Rig standing one could straddle the base, and do what you are saying, shouldnt be a issue, I would do it on my 19, but would be ready to do the work as to not dilly dally. Also, do it on a non windy day, etc. Safety first.

We do stuff like that all the time on much larger masts at the marina, remove pins, etc, but just always be ready for a just in case, even though it may not happen, or may be under enough tension to not be a issue.

We have replaced pins, added stuff, etc over the years, no issues.

Mac

[brackish]

I did that exact same thing the way you describe without incident.  However, if you are worried about it, put a couple of clamps in the front and back of the mast, clamping to the tab but restraining the mast base, shims as necessary, pull the bolt, add the bail and replace with the longer bolt.  

[Chief]

Thanks to both of you for your feedback and for sharing your experiences. I will do as you both recommend: Work very quickly and clamp the mast--very good advice, indeed. Should I be concerned the mast might twist or move as the pin is removed? I'm not sure if there might be torsion of some sort that may cause the mast to twist or otherwise prevent realignment of the holes when it comes time to replace the pin. Should I loosen some shrouds or do other things to prevent torque or force on the mast? Or, is this unlikely to be an issue?

[MacGyver]

I wouldnt worry about that. These masts shouldnt be a problem with that.

And by having everything ready to go it really should go easily.

Mac

[NateD]

I wouldn't loosen the shrouds, better to have the downward pressure. The heads of the screws that hold the tabernacle to the mast step might help to keep the mast in place if there is downward pressure.

You're going to know pretty quickly if the mast is being torqued in a particular direction when you try to pull the bolt. If it is very hard to pull out (or pound out), then you know that there might be some torsion, although it doesn't necessarily mean there is (the mast might be 1-2mm too far forward or aft and the bolt is rubbing on the slots in the tabernacle).

The tabernacle isn't made to make much strain, think about how flimsy it is and the fact that it is just attached with screws into plywood. I would go ahead and do it. Logically there shouldn't be any problems, but I personally would still be nervous, kinda like playing a really big Jinga game (can you pull the part on the bottom out without the stuff up high falling over?). I would still do it though, but my heart rate would be a little elevated.

[millsy]

I am late on this post as usual, but I remove the pin in the tabernacle each time I lower and raise the mast because I replace this with a longer pin for my gin pole. I do this in the water with the boat rocking from side to side a bit.  I don't dilly-dally about it but there is no tendency for the base of mast to shift or twist and the pin slides in and out easily.  But I agree clamping a block around the base of the mast couldn't hurt and follows a prudent belt/suspenders approach, which seems to be my mantra lately. 

I don't think that this would necessarily be a good idea with a mast with pre-bend tuned into the rigging, but our masts should stay in column (even if they are pitched forward slightly for better helm balance as mine is).

Regards,
Chris

[skip1930]

Generally the only time the pin is pulled or pushed in, is after the mast is lowered and before it goes up. Just for poops and grins fenderwashers are placed between the mast and tabernackle, and between the bolt head and the butterfly nut. A butterfly nut that is never really tightened all that much. Finger tight and an additional 'grunt'.

The screws holding the tabernackle to the cabin top sit down inside a finishing washer and it is the mast's edge that sits on top of the four finishing washers. These finishing washers have worn groves onto the bottom of my mast. No big deal.

If your just going to pull the pin to drill through, go ahead. Don't move or shake the mast. Do not un-tension any standing rigging. Mast won't move unless some force is placed upon it. For ever action there is a equal but opposite reaction and blaa, blaa, bla.

Why do you need a bail here anyway? You can buy a cleat to fit, slide, and lock down into the sail slot of the mast. Anywhere from the cabin top to the bottom of the gooseneck on the boom. No hole drilled.

That cleat can be used for the down haul and with a clevis, an anchor for a boom vang. Actually a clevis at both ends of a vang is a good idea as this keeps things aligned when the boom swings about.

skip.

[Chief]

You guys were right (of course): One can remove the pin with the mast stepped and not necessarily meet with disaster. I did it without any problems. I clamped the mast as recommended and the project ran very smoothly. Thanks so much for the expert advice fellas; I really appreciate it. I did this to place a bail at the mast step so I could relocate my vang in order to make room for a boomkicker. The project turned out just as I had envisioned it. Many thanks to Brackish for giving me the part number on the bail I decided to use. I think it turned out pretty well and again, thanks guys. What do you think of the boomkicker?

[NateD]

I'm glad it went well. I really like my boomkicker, it's nice not having to mess with a topping lift. Mine was installed by the previous owner, and when "at rest", it is just about straight (only half visible in the picture), not bowed like in your picture. Do you have it under tension for the picture, or will it always be bowed like that?

[Chief]

Hi NateD. I am going to leave the boomkicker "at ease" (and straight) when she is in her slip so as not to run the risk of causing set in the rods. This picture shows my boomkicker in the "at ease" position; like yours, it is straight. In this configuration, the kicker "at ease" pushes the boom about 8 or 10 inches above horizontal, so her boom rides slightly high when lying in her slip. When under sail, and with the boom in it's normal sailing position, the kicker will be bowed as in the previous picture. By setting the kicker in this manner, it will have enough travel in it to lift the boom as needed for light-air sailing. Is this how you use yours? I have never had a boomkicker before so I am looking forward to using it this weekend. Any recommendations about how to make best use of it?

[LConrad]

Good to see the pictures of the kicker. Delightful gets hers this year. Lazy jacks and topping lift are coming down to go a little faster.