Log of Alberg 30 #262 on 11 December 2016


Date: 11 December 2016 14:00 till 11 December 2016 16:30
Endpoints: Smith's Marina to Smith's Marina
Purpose: Move Mast Forward to Greatest Extent Possible
Complement: Yoni Bresler
Weather: Cool autumn day, reached mid-forties

  • Loosened forward lowers 3 turns each. Flats on swage fitting at top of turnbuckle takes 3/8" wrench.
  • Loosened upper 2 turns each. Flats on swage fitting at top of turnbuckle takes 7/16" wrench. Uppers are now floppy.
  • Loosened backstay 2 turns. Flats on swage fitting at top of turnbuckle takes 7/16" wrench.
  • Loosened four bolts at the base of the mast. Bolts are distressingly short stainless steel that thread into a aluminum plate mast step(?).
  • Placing ratcheting tiedown around the mast near the base and through a U-bolt in the foredeck.
  • Tightened the tiedown in an attempt to drag mast forward. No joy.
  • Struck the aftside of the mast a number of times at the base with a rubber mallet. No movement.
  • Sprayed PB Blaster into the slots in which the mast should move.
  • Marked the location of the fore and aft edges of the mast plate on the under plate so that I can tell if it should shift.
  • Verified that the starboard upper chainplate bolts are ASTM F593C shoulder bolts / hex cap screws. The body extends from forward through the bulkhead and then the chainplate. Reverse these so that the chainplate is at the head of the bolt ? Add backing plates.
  • Appears that there may be splice in the wind instruments cable aft of the bulkhead at the v-berth inside the head lockers.
© Jonathan M. Bresler