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Pico mast won't rotate
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ColPrice2002 View Drop Down
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Posts: 222 		Post Options Post Options   Quote ColPrice2002 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Topic: Pico mast won't rotate
    Posted: 23 Jan 18 at 9:15pm
I have been told that there were problems with the Pico daggerboard tolerances - a number of them required sanding down to fit in the slot...
Certainly, I've sailed one which required both hands and standing over it to lift it.
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jeffers View Drop Down
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Posts: 3048 		Post Options Post Options   Quote jeffers Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 23 Jan 18 at 3:40pm
I always find a pico mast quite stiff to rotate, usually needing to use the cleats to gain an extra bit of purchase.

Sounds like you dont have much to worry about, just make sure the step plate in the hull is clean and free from debris and the same on the mast.

It is worth remembering that the collar fittings are made from nylon which can swell with water absorbtion over time (but as much as 5%)
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Posts: 514 		Post Options Post Options   Quote piglet Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 23 Jan 18 at 12:15pm
Originally posted by 423zero

might be nothing, boat isn't slightly distorted by trolley ? Have you tried rotating mast when boat is in water ?

I was involved with some sea cadet Picos for a bit. They were stored on gunwale hung trollies, often nose down full of water.
The dagger boards became impossibly tight which I suspect was due to hull distortion.
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Sam.Spoons View Drop Down
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Posts: 3400 		Post Options Post Options   Quote Sam.Spoons Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 22 Jan 18 at 3:42pm
Good suggestion but you might be surprised how much sanding the collar will need. Sanding the plastic seems to lift micro threads of plastic which, in turn, generate more friction (tried it a few times, most recently with an over tight Topaz top mast collar).

Edited by Sam.Spoons - 22 Jan 18 at 3:42pm
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Posts: 2 		Post Options Post Options   Quote brettoutdoorme Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 22 Jan 18 at 2:37pm
Hi all 

Thanks for the quick responses. Some really great suggestions, I wouldn't have thought of these on my own. 
Also - great heads up by many of you regarding the silicone! - I was a bit trigger happy with this - will make sure it is cleaned off the deck thoroughly before going out next!

Originally posted by 423zero

might be nothing, boat isn't slightly distorted by trolley ? Have you tried rotating mast when boat is in water ?

Very good point! I've only tried this on the trolley. Will test afloat when I get a chance to take her to the shore. 

Originally posted by ColPrice2002

Do check the foot of the mast

I automatically assumed the mast gate was the problem, but this is a fair suggestion. I will check that next. Thank you. 

Originally posted by Rupert

Sounds like you might need to ease the joint a fraction. Try fine sanding the inside of the mast gate - you'll only need to take a fraction of a mm off. ...

Also, check the mast in another Pico.

Both great suggestions. If others prove no luck then I'll try sanding the pastic collar around the mast that fits in the mast gate - these are easily replacable at only about 5GBP. 

Thanks again to all!

Brett
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Posts: 3400 		Post Options Post Options   Quote Sam.Spoons Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 21 Jan 18 at 11:07am
Used to use it all the time (every time I put the CB in the board) on my Mistral Equipe 2 Raceboard, but very sparingly indeed. Of course we never needed to climb onto the centreboard  Wink

Would have been much worse if he had got it all over the cockpit though.......
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Posts: 822 		Post Options Post Options   Quote PeterG Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 21 Jan 18 at 9:34am
Just as an aside, I'de be very careful to avoid getting silicone into the bottom of the boat

Indeed, I remember replacing the slot gasket on my Contender some years ago and a "helpful" member of the local Contender fleet enthusiastically spraying silicone over the slot to get the board to move smoothly. Which it did very well.

However, the next time I capsized getting onto the board proved to be something like trying to climb onto a skating rink!  Disapprove
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ColPrice2002 View Drop Down
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Posts: 222 		Post Options Post Options   Quote ColPrice2002 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 21 Jan 18 at 9:26am
With the sailing school Picos I have to use both hands to rotate the mast - and use the cleats as a grip.
Do check the foot of the mast, I've seen a couple of masts where the foot of the mast had the aluminium worn away leaving wafer thin, razor sharp edges. These will make it difficult to rotate the mast, and are likely to wreck your handsrigging!
Also, check the foot of the mast for the condition of the plastic insert, then the mast step. Grit isn't going to help...

 
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423zero View Drop Down
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Posts: 3420 		Post Options Post Options   Quote 423zero Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 20 Jan 18 at 7:52pm
might be nothing, boat isn't slightly distorted by trolley ? Have you tried rotating mast when boat is in water ?
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Posts: 8956 		Post Options Post Options   Quote Rupert Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 20 Jan 18 at 7:17pm
Sounds like you might need to ease the joint a fraction. Try fine sanding the inside of the mast gate - you'll only need to take a fraction of a mm off.

Another possibility is that the gate part shuts too tight. Try putting a thin but of stiff wire down the locking pin hole, so it doesn't close fully, and see if the bottom mast rotates then. Don't try sailing it like this! If it rotates happily then, you might have to find someone to take another look at what is going on.

Also, check the mast in another Pico.
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