[C320-list] Maintenance Tip: Mast Step Blocks/Studs

[Marek Fluder]

Thank you Jeff for this information.
I am one of the new guys and was not aware of this issue.
What is a good source for TefGel?
When I asked at local stores they have not heard of that and offered
Lanocote instead.

Marek.
#1028
Hamilton, ON

On Mon, Jun 8, 2015 at 9:46 AM, Jeff Hare <Catalina at thehares.com> wrote:

> Hi All,
>
> With a number of new owners on the list this year, it's time to
> re-broadcast
> the important annual Mast Step Block maintenance tip.  I can't remember if
> the newer MKII mast steps are the same as the older ones, so someone else
> can comment there.
>
> Apologies for those who've heard this before, but it's important and not
> always very obvious.
>
> The turning blocks attached to the base of the mast have SS studs that
> screw
> into a SS nut that slides into a slot under the mast step.  Since the nut
> and the stud are Stainless, and the mast step is Aluminum, the studs will
> corrode against the mast step plate and freeze up, faster in salt water.
>
> They need to be able to turn freely to keep from being bent under load.  I
> suggest you unscrew each block (counter clockwise of course),  and slide
> the
> nut out of the slot with a screwdriver.  Coat the stud and threads and the
> whole nut with "TefGel" anti-sieze/anti-corrosion grease and reinstall
> them.
> Without doing this they will corrode and freeze up and may require removing
> the mast and mast step to fix them!   After that, liberally spray the
> bearings of each block with "Sail Kote" or your favorite dry lube.
>
>
>
> To do this simple maintenance job, you do not have to have to remove any of
> the lines, just loosen the lines to provide some slack.   When you screw
> them back in, screw them in all the way with your fingers until they stop
> then UNSCREW them one full turn.  This allows the blocks to pivot easily
> and
> stay fair to the pull of the line.
>
>
>
> I didn't do this last year (maybe it's been 2 years?) and one of them was
> right on the edge of being frozen up.  Took a bit of effort to get it freed
> up.  I saw serious case on a C380 where the owner snugged up all the studs
> so that they didn't pivot at all and under load, some of the Garhauer
> blocks
> bent because they couldn't swivel to align with the rope under tension.  On
> top of that, most of the studs had corroded solid to the mast step.  The
> mast had to be pulled, the step removed and the studs had to be removed by
> a
> machine shop.  This was on a boat only 4 years old.  Don't let this happen
> to you! :)
>
> -Jeff Hare
>
> #809
>
>
>
>