[C320-list] Mast Top Shroud Exit

[Warren Updike]

It's as Jeff said, "The drain (is) on he AFT side of the mast step.  (Where)
there is a U shaped bale hooked into the aft side of the mast step.  If you
were able to remove the mast step, you'd see  drain channel cast into this
plate that leads to the place where this bail attaches."

You can't see the drain channel directly.  It's in behind the bale at the
back of the deck plate and rests on the deck.  You should be able to push a
coat hanger in behind the bale and find the drain channel.  From there it
will stop just short of the rear of the mast.  If it is blocked and there is
water built-up inside the mast, you should see it run out at this point. You
may have to work at the debris to break it up and have it run out the drain.
Otherwise, it will just collect again and block the drain.  If you get that
far, use a hose with a pressure nozzle to force water in there.  As long as
it flows freely out of the space in the back of the deck plate, you should
be ok.  You do have to flush this out periodically or it will block again.

In my previous post, I should have explained that once the mast blocks
lockup and won't rotate, they can be very difficult to remove.  I did ruin
one block in an effort to unscrew it.  This in spite of numerous treatments
with PB-blaster.  I was fortunate to have found two replacements at a swap
meet.  They are expensive.  I won't let this happen again.  

Warren & Pattie Updike
1994 C320 #62 "Warr De Mar"

-----Original Message-----
From: Amshd2 [mailto:amshd2 at aol.com] 
Sent: Monday, May 23, 2011 2:19 PM
To: C320-List at Catalina320.com
Subject: Re: [C320-list] Mast Top Shroud Exit


Warren

Where is your drain channel located.

I have hull #30 so we may have close to the same type of rig.  I have never
been able to find mine



Thanks Tony 


-----Original Message-----
From: Warren Updike <wupdike at hotmail.com>
To: C320-List at Catalina320.com
Sent: Mon, May 23, 2011 1:41 pm
Subject: Re: [C320-list] Mast Top Shroud Exit


Ditto, what Jeff said.  I've only had the mast down once in 7 years.  I
on't know when the PO might have had it down.  The drain channel was so
logged with dirt I had to clear it with a coat hanger.  
There was also a lot of debris collected under the posts the mast blocks are
ounted on.  In fact, most of the blocks would not rotate.  The accumulated
orrosion and dirt had them locked.  Per a previous recommendation of Jeff,
 took this occasion to remove each of the blocks and clean out the holes in
he deck plate.  This I did with a rotary tool and sanding drum.  Then,
eassembled the blocks with Never-Cease or the like.  Every spring I will
heck these blocks and if stiff or immovable will pull them and re-grease.
Once again, thanks, Jeff for the bounty of your knowledge and concern for
he rest of us.
Warren & Pattie Updike
994 C320 #62 "Warr De Mar"
-----Original Message-----
rom: Jeff Hare [mailto:Catalina at thehares.com] 
ent: Monday, May 23, 2011 8:54 AM
o: C320-List at Catalina320.com
ubject: Re: [C320-list] Mast Top Shroud Exit
What probably happened is that debris has probably clogged the exit drain on
he AFT side of the mast step.  There is a U shaped bale hooked into the aft
ide of the mast step.  If you were able to remove the mast step, you'd see
 drain channel cast into this plate that leads to the place where this bail
ttaches.
When this happened to a friend's boat the rain water would collect inside
he mast column and flow down the tube into the bilge.  We took a hose with
 good nozzle and blast it into the place where this bail attaches.  Then
he water and dirt that had collected in there poured out of the mast
olumn.  Did this a few times to be sure.  You could put the hose into the
alyard exit plate and see that it drains out properly.
Learned a lot about the mast step/compression post setup the year I removed
nd re-bedded my mast step.   I wish I had taken pictures because I'm not
lanning on ever doing that again...
-Jeff
-----Original Message-----
rom: c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com
mailto:c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com] On Behalf Of Stephen Cox
ent: Monday, May 23, 2011 3:50 AM
o: C320-List at Catalina320.com
ubject: Re: [C320-list] Mast Top Shroud Exit
> My Seldon mast has two top shroud exits, (port and starboard) just 
 below the masthead. It appears rainwater maybe ingressing through 
 these holes with severe winds, ending up in my bilge. The slots either 
 side of the mast are not covered with exit plates to protect water 
 entry, like the halyard exits. Does anyone know if there are a rubber 
 grommet or similar for these exits on the mast. Any help would be 
 grateful.
 Peter "Jaraman" # 1096
The water should drain out at the bottom of the mast onto the deck. There is
 pipe up through the mast step that carries all the wiring so any pooling
f water at the base of the mast should drain out before overtopping that
ipe.  The only path to the bilge would be down the electrical wiring lines
nd very little would track down those I would have thought.
Stephen Cox
egwen #1141