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Poor man's mast gates?

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Ben
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1234 Posts

Initially Posted - 05/16/2006 : 06:57:13

Okay, I'm not necessarily poor, simply cheap, but does anyone have any ideas for making "mast gates" out of inexpensive material that could be found that the local Lowes or Home Depot? I thought I remember reading on this board years ago about a member who made his own mast gates out of aluminum strips meant for a window application, or some other kind of application. I might have it wrong, it really was a long time ago.

Anyway, I went to Lowes over the weekend and walked all around the store and didn't see anything that would work. Seems like such an easy thing to do, if I have it pictured right in my head; I just can't find the material I'm looking for.

Any ideas?

Ben
Beneteau 361
Viking Kitty
Columbus, Ohio

Edited by - on

aeckhart
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1709 Posts

Response Posted - 05/16/2006 : 07:42:27

Ben,

Get a piece of 2" aluminum flat stock from the hardware store, cut it out to fit over the mast slot, shape it to fit the mast curve, add two holes and ss screws. I painted mine white to match the mast paint.

The flat stock usually comes in 3 ft pieces but you'll fine other uses for it on your boat.

Edited by - on

tinob
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1883 Posts

Response Posted - 05/16/2006 : 08:36:57

Ben...Bill Holcomb posted his version of mastgates using capret edging...he has it in his list of updates to his boat Snickerdoodle. Reasonable simple as I seem to recall.

Val on Calista # 3936 Patchogue,N.Y.

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Ben
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1234 Posts

Response Posted - 05/16/2006 : 08:43:25

Ahh...excellent ideas all! Thanks so much. Can't wait to get to the hardware store now!

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djn
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1561 Posts

Response Posted - 05/16/2006 : 10:28:20

Also check the tech tips. I remember two tips on making them with found items. Cheers.
here is link - http://www.catalina-capri-25s.org/tech/tech25/snkslot.asp

Edited by - djn on 05/16/2006 10:31:16

Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 05/16/2006 : 11:57:41

I got a small sheet of stainless and cut two plates out of it, each with a "tab" the size and shape of the cutout on one side of the mast track. Then I bent the tabs 180 degrees so they would form an "inner wall" at the cutouts, to keep the sail slugs from catching as they passed the gate. Then drilled some holes and bent a slight curve into each plate to fit the mast..........

Then I bought a set from Joe Martinek (what CD is now selling)--they work great!

(Actually, I only use one of his plates--two make the slot just a tiny bit too narrow--so the second is a backup when the first becomes a gift to King Neptune.

Edited by - Dave Bristle on 05/16/2006 11:59:02

dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 05/16/2006 : 12:29:22

Mine too are made from a piece of aluminum carpet edging. No problems after 4 years.

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PamC
Navigator

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171 Posts

Response Posted - 05/17/2006 : 16:18:35

The previous owner of our boat is very comfortable working with fiberglass and made this sleeve out of fiberglass that snaps over the mast and is removed when the sail needs to be removed. It's just below my hand on the mast. It has tabs molded into it that fit into the opening on the mast track so it stays in position and fits snugly.

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dave holtgrave
Captain

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USA
427 Posts

Response Posted - 05/18/2006 : 09:36:57

pam c
what a beautiful back drop in your photo.
what a great place to sail.

if i were to take a photo of my lake back drop today it would show the wheat about 2 feet tall and the corn about 6 inches high.

just a thought about the differant polaces we sail

dave holtgrave
5722 sk.tr
sailing on carlyle lake in southern illinois

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Brian King
1st Mate

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USA
73 Posts

Response Posted - 05/18/2006 : 10:07:09

I just made and installed a mast gate for my '89 using a short piece of the suggested aluminum carpet edging from HD for $2.99. The '89's (or at least my C25) has only one side of the slot carved out to install the slugs, so I didn't want to buy the pair, nor was I convinced that they would fit. Launching tomorrow, so we'll see how it works out.

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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.