Mizzen Mast Step

[jackjanos]

I removed my mizzen, in order to get to the wiring hole at the bottom, to make it bigger, as I'm hooking up a Radar & need a bigger hole for the wires to go thru.  My problem is that the aluminum step is attached with two Carriage Bolts, which I removed, BUT trying to lift up the step, it seems that it is really stuck to the cockpit sole with probably some 5200 or something.  And I can't seem to get it loose so I can get to where I can make the hole bigger, after it has been removed.  Has anyone succeeded in removing this step?  How did you do it ?  Some suggestions I've had were to use HEAT, like a Propane torch (but wouldn't this damage the fiberglass?), or "pour boiling water over it" to heat up the 5200.  But I'm open to your suggestions, before I try to do this without messing up the sole.

Jack

[RayNWanda]

I have removed two of them. Both of ours were attached with lag screws and some sort of sealer. The lag screws were plated steel. I drove a 1" scraper under the step by tapping on it gently with a rubber hammer. You just have to be patient and work slowly. The scraper will wedge it loose. I put it back with longer stainless lag screws and polisulfide. No damage to the cockpit sole that I can see.

[Dale Tanski]

Jack,
May I suggest another approach?
Once you install the radar on the mizzen, every time pull the mizzen you will have to "unstring" all of the wiring.  I would suggest installing a multi-pin plug in the radar cable.  This eliminates the need to enlarge the hole in the mast base, and allows the unstepping of the mizzen without expensive delay.  Remember, it will be very difficult to seal a large hole in the mizzen mast base and if you take a boarding wave it will find its way below.
I will look through my pictures and see if I have one of the plug I installed.  I think the plug cost around $28, and in the past three years it has done its job 4 times.
Just a thought...
Good Sailing,  Dale

[jackjanos]

Dale,
I would be most interested in the plug you used, if you can find a pix & where you got it, that would be great.
Jack

[Dale Tanski]

Looked through my pictures yesterday but could't find any of the plug.  I have the spar out in the barn so that is not a problem. 

I got the plug through one of the electronic houses, either Newark or maybe Digikey.  You need to know hom many wires (pins) that you need on your unit.  I will get out to the barn in the next day or so and shoot some pictures.  I will also go aboard and see if I have a cut sheet in my documentation on the plug I used.

Dale

[Henri Hali]

Leave it to Dale to come up with a "I could have had a V8" solution!

I installed radar about five years ago, and never thought about multi-pin connectors. I used a terminal block mounted in the engine compartment.This was especially dumb since I spent a number of years (Before IDEAL)  selling this type of product to military electronics manufacturers for a company called Burndy.

Next time I remove the mizzen I'll correct my oversight.

I do have a few suggestions to consider before making the purchase.

1. These things can be very expensive if you buy a new connector and it is a "Mil/Spec"    type.

2. There are a multitude of pin types available. Some are solder on (Lowest cost) others are crimp on that may require special crimp dies to make the electrical connections.
3. Then there are the pin coatings and construction. Because of military specs the pins may be machined and plated with gold. All of this adds to the cost. Stay away from them you don't need this degree of overkill. Some good old stamped tin plated connectors will work fine.

Besides the companies Dale listed, I'd suggest you check out electronic surplus places, or if you want to spend the time, check out Army/Navy stores . They often have items like this.


Henri Hali
SV Windrider

[RayNWanda]

I'm interested in this too. I should have already installed our radar, but haven't gotten around to it. I did put a string inside the mizzen before we stepped the mast to pull in the cable. It never occurred to me to use a plug at the base of the mast.

[EdHouston]

How many conductors do you all use Amphonol make some very nice connectors little costly however.