[C320-list] Mast Sail Gate Screws

[Bruce Heyman]

Jeff,
Just checking but; I'll bet that now that it does not matter if you drop a gate screw in the drink, you haven't lost a single one.
Bruce
Somerset Dana Point CA

Bruce Heyman
(949) 289-8400

Jeff Hare <catalina at thehares.com> wrote:

>Hi All,
>
>I'll offer this tip (procedure) for our approach to dealing with the Mast
>Gate screws.
>
>Issue:
>- Stock Thumb Screws are not an easily found thread pitch.
>- Ours once got damaged with a sail's slug webbing getting snagged during
>raising the main.
>- Dropping one over the side seems to be my favorite past time.
>
>The Solution was to re-tap the screw holes to fit threads pitch and diameter
>I know I'll always have on hand.
>
>So, Each spring we replace the 2 bullet Shaft Zincs with new ones.  Each of
>these has a pair of small SS knurled Allen Head bolts.  This is a perfect
>size and thread pitch for the job.  I always take these out and toss them
>into my SS nut/bolt organizer so I'm sure to have backups.  
>
>I add a drop "Tef-Gel" anti-corrosion grease on the threads so they'll never
>seize up on me.  I can pretty easily unscrew and tighten them by hand.
>While I sometimes need it, I have a small SS Allen wrench clipped out of the
>way on the mast in case to use if I need it.  The benefit is that I can get
>mast gate perfectly aligned and tighten them so that it doesn't move.
>
>It was a great tweak for us.  I've lost several gate screws over the past 11
>years but it's no longer any issue whatsovever.
>
>-Jeff
>
>PS:  Each spring/fall after commissioning/decommissioning I take a stroll
>around the boatyard and collect all the stray stainless steel nuts bolts,
>screws washers, etc. that are lying on the ground.  It pretty much keeps my
>Stainless Steel spare parts box full.  
>
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