Enterprise Mast Step
Printed From: Yachts and Yachting Online
Category: General
Forum Name: Repair & maintenance
Forum Discription: Questions & tips on the subject
URL: http://www.yachtsandyachting.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=13189
Printed Date: 10 May 25 at 3:18pm
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 9.665y - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: Enterprise Mast Step
Posted By: Davvy b
Subject: Enterprise Mast Step
Date Posted: 08 Oct 18 at 8:46pm
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Hi. I've just bought a 1961 Enterprise and I'm concerned about the mast step. The slot is longer than the peg on the mast. There is a wooden block in the slot to shorten it and the step moves slightly; the screws are working loose. Should I replace the step to the correct size and how tight should the slot be around the peg? If I replace it I'm going to be tempted to put machine screws right through with nuts and spreader plate. The previous owner told me to put a second wooden block under the front lip of the mast!? See photos. Also the support from the keel to under the mast step has a wedge of wood at the top. Is this normal? Mast is Proctor. Apologies if terminology is not correct. Am new to all this.
Thanks for any help you can offer.    
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Replies:
Posted By: 423zero
Date Posted: 08 Oct 18 at 9:37pm
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I have same size mast step but my mast foot fits exactly, not sure why your foot is smaller, possibly a donor mast.
New mast feet are available, plastic and other materials. |
Posted By: JimC
Date Posted: 08 Oct 18 at 9:48pm
| I'd make a new mast step out of plastic chopping board: its a very suitable material! Then you can cut it to match the tenon. |
Posted By: Davvy b
Date Posted: 08 Oct 18 at 9:49pm
| Hi thanks where can I buy a new foot. |
Posted By: Davvy b
Date Posted: 08 Oct 18 at 10:02pm
| If I make a new step should it be a tight fit |
Posted By: 423zero
Date Posted: 09 Oct 18 at 6:04am
| Make it a snug fit not tight, like Jimc says use chopping board, you can get one from Poundland. |
Posted By: MerlinMags
Date Posted: 09 Oct 18 at 8:07am
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No new foot needed - the aluminium end of the mast is fine.
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Posted By: Noah
Date Posted: 09 Oct 18 at 10:02am
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"... The previous owner told me to put a second wooden block under the front lip of the mast!? See photos. Also the support from the keel to under the mast step has a wedge of wood at the top. Is this normal? " A 2nd block under the front lip will do nothing helpful as far as I can see. I also think that the wedge is not normal. The loads from the mast are intended to transfer thru the mast step and into the keel via the king post - that's the vertical timber(?) under the mast. I agree with the comments re using chopping board (of the right thickness, or layered) to make a new step with a mortise the right size for the tenon of your mast foot, and the machine screws idea isn't bad either. Just use nyloc nuts. When the rig is under tension the forces are trying to pull the sides of the boat together, and push the mast / king post thru the bottom of the boat. The structure should be capable of resisting these forces or bad things will happen :-( I would hope, however,. that you won't be putting too much tension into a 1961 boat. ------------- Nick D-Zero 316 |
Posted By: Davvy b
Date Posted: 09 Oct 18 at 11:46am
| Thanks Nick. It's the king post that has a small triangular wedge between underside of the deck and top of the post that I am most concerned with.Will get picture posted this evening. Will get some HDPE and use a router to cut slot. |
Posted By: 423zero
Date Posted: 09 Oct 18 at 5:56pm
I would make one after seeing the price of a new one  https://www.sailboats.co.uk/enterprise-mast-step-selden-w98m-x-113mm
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Posted By: Davvy b
Date Posted: 09 Oct 18 at 7:23pm
This is the wedge on top of the king post I was talking about. Is this normal. I feel like glueing it in. Would that be ok?
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Posted By: 423zero
Date Posted: 09 Oct 18 at 7:28pm
| If it's tight ? I would just glue it too, then forget about it, must have been a reason for it, doesn't look recent. |
Posted By: JimC
Date Posted: 09 Oct 18 at 7:29pm
| Gosh, that is a bit of an oddity! I think I'd fill the whole area with a high strength epoxy/microfibre/silica mix and try to lock it all up tight without any air gaps. Its something you might find easier to do with the boat upside down on trestles. |