Sheared screws in mast step

Hi Wobble

Sorry don't know FF very well can you bolt it down instead of screws?

Also remember that the odds of it working on the shaft of a screw is slim at best even if you get a decent one. If the screw is well enough stuck to shear then it'll need a fair bit of grip to remove it so go in with plenty of heat before attempting.

the hardest part is drilling the stainless screw. Ideally you need to flatten the top of the screw and use a centre punch before starting to drill.

A small drill will be required to start, with stainless use constant pressure and fairly low rpm and some form of lubrication. If you don't the metal will work harden and the drill bit will soon become blunt. Obviously be careful of too much pressure and breaking the drill

It maybe the full removal, and repositioning would be the best bet. Maybe consider using another suppliers mast step with different hole positions?

Hope you get it sorted

cheers

I had the same issue in an FF, no one to blame but myself as I fitted the hull out from new.

I never tried to get the broken screws out, my screws had been installed with epoxy as lube/sealant from new so no extract tool would get them out. Just re drill the the alloy mast heel when it is removed, counter sink holes and put screws a size larger in different positions. It is an FF, a couple of grams in the hog will not make the boat over weight.