mast mounting plate

[graemek]

Hi
the mast mounting plate on the main mast is in need of replacement,this i can make ok but the bolts look like thay will shear off when i try to undo them, I will proberly end up drilling them out and retapping the holes,does any body know what is under there ?.ie is it a plate with tapped holes or a plate with nuts welded on the under side,or maybe even cast in stud's,any info verry welcome,yours oceanpilgrim

[Dale Tanski]

The hex heads that you are seeing are whats left of the lag bolts that hold the mast step in place.  The mast step sits upon the lead internal keel that is capped with fiberglass that forms the forward "shallow" bilge pocket. 
Your base should look something like this...



Here is what was left of my worst the lag bolt.  Remember they only are designed to provide laterial support not hold anything down so to speak.


Here is what I did but there are lots of answers and lots of ways to do it.


Good Sailing...   Dale Tanski

[graemek]

Hi
thank you for the info,I will get a new set of bolts this week,have got it out this morning and it only has surface rust on it will sand blast it and give it a coat of galvafroyd,the heads came off as expected but got a pair of molegrips on the studs and thay came out ok,thank you again,oceanpilgrim