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

[Jeff Hare]

You can look up "USS Ultra Tef-Gel" at Jamestown  Distributors.  The ~1ounce syringe is more than enough for many years and should be well under $20 since it doesn't take much.  Use this anywhere you have different kinds of metals touching.  Like at the mainsail gate.  The mast is AL and the screws are SS.   Some places on Amazon and elsewhere over charge for this by a lot, so shop around. 

Cheers
Jeff
-----Original Message-----
From: C320-list [mailto:c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com] On Behalf Of Marek Fluder
Sent: Monday, June 8, 2015 10:33 AM
To: C320-List at Catalina320.com
Subject: Re: [C320-list] Maintenance Tip: Mast Step Blocks/Studs

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
>
>
>
>