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Mastgater Blow off

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DavidBuoy
Admiral

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USA
707 Posts

Initially Posted - 04/28/2017 : 05:13:58

So, this spring I got my 2-line reefing system all setup to be able to quickly tuck in and shake out a reef in the main. I have the mastgater that I filed to fit the sail track opening installed so that I don't have to go take out a sail track stop to be able to pull the slugs out below the reef point.

So, each side of the mastgater has two machine screws that go into tapped holes in the mast and on the port side I didn't do a perfect job on lining up the two holes so I could only get one screw in. So I had that side held in with the one screw while getting everything else setup and we've used it while having to reef a number of times already this season without issue.

Well last night we were blasting around in the bay during a small craft advisory (cause why not), and had the reef tucked in tight and the sail as flat as possible when I noticed a slug had busted through the gater bending the port piece.

I realized that between the wind, pounding into waves and the crazy amount of tension I had on the outhaul, halyard and downhaul was way more than that little pliable piece of metal can handle. I was surprised how easily I could bend it back into shape but I suppose it's not engineered for how I was using it.

Let me know if anyone could confirm, but I believe i just have to have it so there isn't a slug in there when reefed which just means I will have to raise the boom about 2-3 inches up.

We're doing a 20mi sail next weekend to St.Michaels on the eastern short of the bay so were doing a good job of shaking down all the systems before the trip. I'd rather have stuff break on a little day/evening sail. Tonight were gonna go anchor and "shakedown" the new grill we purchased, tomorrow we're gonna practice spinnaker runs and whatever we feel like doing on Sunday.

Regards,
Rob

Captain Rob & Admiral Alyson
"David Buoy"-1985 C25 SK/SR #5053

islander
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3992 Posts

Response Posted - 04/28/2017 : 05:25:49

So the one that bent was the one that only had one screw?

Scott-"IMPULSE"87'C25/SR/WK/Din.#5688
Sailing out of Glen Cove,L.I Sound

dasreboot
Admiral

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803 Posts

Response Posted - 04/28/2017 : 05:43:08

i think you have it corret, you dont want slugs against the gate. at the least it will eventually ruin the threaded hole.

Todd Lewis
Eowyn 87 TR/WK C25 #5656
ARWEN 84 TR/SK C25 #4031
www.mainsailsailingschool.com

DavidBuoy
Admiral

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USA
707 Posts

Response Posted - 04/28/2017 : 05:50:13

quote:
Originally posted by islander

So the one that bent was the one that only had one screw?

That's correct. I felt that it was fine for the time being and it was working fine at staying in place and allowing the slugs to travel up and down freely through it. I didn't however, think of the fact that a slug was going to be in there when reefed.

I believe I'll have this corrected this evening by raising the boom and I was just curious if anyone else using the gater had a slug that rests in there when reefed as well.

-Rob

Captain Rob & Admiral Alyson
"David Buoy"-1985 C25 SK/SR #5053

islander
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3992 Posts

Response Posted - 04/28/2017 : 06:14:38

I have slugs in the gate area and never had a problem but I also have the two screws to properly support it. I can see with just one screw in place it could bend.

Scott-"IMPULSE"87'C25/SR/WK/Din.#5688
Sailing out of Glen Cove,L.I Sound

Stinkpotter
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
9013 Posts

Response Posted - 04/28/2017 : 08:03:52

My memory isn't high-def on this, but I don't remember having a slug that was above the reef tack in contact with the gate, and probably wouldn't have wanted to, even though I had two screws holding each gate. The slugs below the tack are, of course, superfluous. I suspect it was the missing screw that let you down--that would leave a lot of leverage on the one screw if the slug was pulling on the other end of the gate.

Dave Bristle
Association "Port Captain" for Mystic/Stonington CT
PO of 1985 C-25 SR/FK #5032 Passage, USCG "sixpack" (expired),
Now on Eastern 27 $+!nkp*+ Sarge

Sailynn
Navigator

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USA
178 Posts

Response Posted - 04/28/2017 : 23:24:35

I'm not that mechanical, but can you straighten the plate and drill a new whole on the plate in a different place, and line everything up and drill a new hole above where the first whole was incorrectly drilled on the mast. Also I once saw picture of something that looked like the mast gatter, but made our flooring threshold metal like they use on vinyl to carpet installation. Or, have you called the mast gatter mfg. and explained what happened, and maybe they would be kind enough to send you a one piece replacement if you send them a picture of the one you bent.

Lynn Buchanan
1988 C25 SR/WK #5777
Sailynn
Nevada City, CA

Stinkpotter
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
9013 Posts

Response Posted - 04/29/2017 : 08:14:32

quote:
Originally posted by Sailynn

...Also I once saw picture of something that looked like the mast gatter, but made our flooring threshold metal like they use on vinyl to carpet installation...

I recall one of our long-time participants here (Bill Holcomb?) made gate plates out of something like aluminum floor edging. They apparently worked well to contain the slugs as the sail was dropped--I doubt they could stand up to the stress of a slug under tension from the sail. However, I think the "alternate hole" suggestion is worthwhile--it might even resolve the issue of what I suspect is a bent corner. A new gate would have the holes in the same locations--thus also might require drilling a third hole for a secure, properly aligned attachment. Even then I would adjust something so there isn't a slug under tension pulling on the gate. A jibe might be too much for it no matter what you do.

Dave Bristle
Association "Port Captain" for Mystic/Stonington CT
PO of 1985 C-25 SR/FK #5032 Passage, USCG "sixpack" (expired),
Now on Eastern 27 $+!nkp*+ Sarge

Edited by - Stinkpotter on 04/30/2017 07:59:49

DavidBuoy
Admiral

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USA
707 Posts

Response Posted - 05/01/2017 : 04:36:26

The bent gate wasn't that bent, and like I said super easy to bend around and back into shape. I got a second screw installed on that plate and got everything straightened back out. I tried adjusting the boom height so that a slug does not sit there however it's nearly impossible to have it set so that one isn't in their during full main and reefed. I opted to set it so that it's definitely clear under full main and I will just have to be mindful when reefing not to bring the "new" tack of the sail all the way down to the boom but just up a little bit to keep the slug out of the slot.

Captain Rob & Admiral Alyson
"David Buoy"-1985 C25 SK/SR #5053

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