Notice:
The advice given on this site is based upon individual or quoted experience, yours may differ.
The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.
I have the mast down and have replaced the wiring, RF, halyards, lights, exit blocks and sheaves. What I found was every screw was either: frozen, corroded, broken, or missing. I had to drill out a number of them and re-tap, except for a few for which the hole was elongated or otherwise totally ****. Originally I had planned on replacing all with SS machine screws, some with a backing nut, but now I'm reconsidering using SS or Aluminum rivets. For those who have already been there, how did you handle this? Any suggestions ?
If you go with rivets, A common pop rivet tool will work for the aluminum rivets but for stainless rivets you need a pop rivet tool capable of handling them. I borrowed a heavy duty pop rivet tool from work when I installed the foot pads on my swim ladder.
Scott-"IMPULSE"87'C25/SR/WK/Din.#5688 Sailing out of Glen Cove,L.I Sound
Pop rivets should be SS on a mast fittings. I have used both and like both, screws are easier. Taps are easy to use. Blunt short machine screws, no points or self tappers to mess with anything that might pass by and catch.
If you have your mast down, make sure your sheaves run freely. I checked my sheaves when the mast was down this spring, but once I stepped the mast the main halyard sheave got sticky. I lubed up the halyard with silicone spray and it's "better", but still not ideal. Remember, when your mast is down take the extra time you need to check EVERYTHING. Electrical, RF, topping lift, main and jib halyards, light bulbs, sheaves, windex, wind speed, cables,, physical - like tape and tie wraps.... Easier to do it once than to do it again or up on a ladder or boatswain's chair.
Notice: The advice given on this site is based upon individual or quoted experience, yours may differ. The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.