[C320-list] Mast Sail Gate Screws

[Jeff Hare]

Ha,  yea, now that it doesn't matter, I bet if I took the screw to the edge of the boat and dropped it in the water, it would bounce back on deck.

Jeff

Bruce Heyman <bruceheyman at cox.net> wrote:

>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.  
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>