Tony,
I have my mast out now an am working on it, if it stops raining, today.
In any case I can send you a few pictures later today.
With some measurements. Basically the mast passes through the deck at the partners, an oval casting bolted to the deck which frames the opening.
Mine was "centered" off to one side with some roughly made wood wedges.
The mast step is another casting over which the mast sleeves, it is fastened over the keel. When standing rigging is released and the turnbuckle and pad eye inside are remove the mast lifts straight out, nothing else fastening it.

All I have for Internet is my iPhone so I can't
Post any pics here. If you send me your Email I can send you a couple as attachments
[email]meypaul@gmail.com[/email]

Tony,

I removed my mast last spring. Considering all of the projects I have done on my boat I thought pulling the mast was going to be one of the more difficult jobs. I found out it was one of the easiest. You remove the main sail, the boom and disconnect all of your wiring at the base of the mast. After the yard attaches a sling to the mast for support you loosen you turnbuckles, remove the pins and the mast just lifts out. I would suggest you tape the upper and lower bolts on your turnbuckles for reference. This makes it a lot easier when it come to tightening and retuning your rig. Also clean out the small drain hole in the cup the mast rests in. As you can see my cup was pretty fouled... You might also want to take the time to clean and wax the mast while its down. After I replaced my mast I realized the bottom of my spreaders needed some cleaning.

To replace your rig is the reversal of the removal.

You will find working on a horizontal mast is a lot easier than working on it when it is vertical!

If I remember right my mast is 54' from top to bottom. It is a tall rig.

Attached are some photos I took with my iphone...

Chris

Tony,

I did not notice any problems... I would suppose you need to completely remove the mast footing to check for cracking or deterioration. I did clean the area and made sure the weep holes allowed for drainage. If there was something obvious I'm sure I would have seen it.

Chris

Tony, I'm not sure that your impression of 'the mast sinking in the block' is what's happening. It's my understanding that Catalina (as well as almost all manufacturers of the era) used wood in certain locations (engine bed, keel, mast step) not because of structural needs, but rather as a form over which glass could be shaped/laid. I believe it is the fiberglass that is structural, not the wood. If this worries you it would be worth a phone call to Catalina's Gerry Douglas, who was the designer of the C-36.

I am one of the few Catalina owners that removes the mast every year for winter indoor storage.
I want to offer a suggestion for anyone planning to remove their mast.

First, purchase some cheap white sport socks and when you remove a turnbuckle from the deck fitting, put the whole assembly into the sock and tape the top of the sock to the wire cable.

The ends of the shrouds bang against the deck, scratch everything they touch and can hook on all kinds of stuff. When the crane begins to lift the mast, lots of stuff can be ripped right off the boat. I this know from experience.

The socks prevent this completely.

Just an idea.

Bill Matley

Bill, that is an excellent idea. We pull our mast every year as well and while we haven't done any damage yet, the turnbuckles are always a hazard. Will start saving those holy socks now!