Step out!

[S/V AMITY]

 After several attempts, got the mast step out.  Three of the four bolts responded to a 6-point 9/16" socket and breaker bar.  Last bolt was too far gone so had to Dremel off the remainder of the head.  After the step was out was able to vice-grip onto the stub of the bolt and twist it out.

Step is steel with a fair layer of rust but not enough to compromise strength.  Have decided to de-rust it myself with white vinegar.  Have got 30% vinegar on order so we'll see how that works.  After de-rusting, will multi-coat with cold galvanize paint.  After reinstalling the step will give it a coating of Fluid Film.  In another post I was talking about having the step hot galvanized but the 300 dollar charge put me off that plan.

[SVJourney]

I would HIGHLY recommend that you glass in some plywood to lift the step out  of the bilge water.  A small chunk of 3/4 Marine grade coated with epoxy and a layer of glass would do it.  I stacked 3 ea 3/4 and cut 2.5 inches from the bottom of the mast.  Never had any issues after that.

Recommended cleaning/treating:
Bead blast or sand blast the rust (I used a pin needler)
Treat with Ospho to set the metal neutral
Good ferric primer
Overcoat paint
LPS3 or equivalent on mast install.
Good for another 40 years.

[S/V AMITY]

   Thanks Journey!  Will proceed in that direction.

    One my complaints about the mast step situation is that sea water dribbles past, over & around the step.  Source is the chain locker draining water & mud all the way through the bilge to the deep bilge.  To me, unless you have a hull leak somewhere, the bilge should be DRY.  My plan to achieve that is to build a watertight platform above the waterline in the chain locker and install small clamshell drains through the hull port & starboard at the after end of the platform.  Any water & mud brought aboard by the chain would drain directly overboard.  The bilge area makes for considerable stowage space and I'd use it if it were dry.  Right now it is a water & mud gutter.

[S/V AMITY]

   After 2 hrs. in 15% white vinegar a fair amount of rust has been dissolved.  Another hour or so should finish the job.

[S/V AMITY]

  Step de-rusted well in the 15% white vinegar.  Wire bruhed under hot water and sprayed 6 coats zinc chromate primer.  Final 2 coats will be white Brightside.  Now on to rebuilding the raw water pump.

[S/V AMITY]

Primed, painted and ready to be installed.  Small amount of pitting but still in good shape.

[Dale Tanski]

Instead of raising the step out of the bilge water using plywood I would recommend Coosa Board. See Boat Outfitters as a source down your way...
Dale

[SVJourney]

Coosa is awesome for rot resistance.  Ideal for the bilge.  However I would be careful as its compressive strength is MUCH less than plywood.  The mast is pushing straight down, but the weight is spread over the base sooo.... I dunno. 

http://www.coosacomposites.com/images/Test_Data_0412.pdf

http://www.matweb.com/search/datasheet_print.aspx?matguid=bd6620450973496ea2578c283e9fb807

[S/V Deo Volente]

I think G10 would be ideal for this application. It's strong stuff.

[S/V AMITY]

   Was thinking of G-10 myself.   1/4" thick should be enough to keep the step out of trouble.