Mast down for winter, plug for mast hole?

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McFly
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Mast down for winter, plug for mast hole?

As a new owner this will be the first time hauling and storing for the winter. As the PO never once pulled the spar out for inspection during his 5 years of ownership, I am having the yard do it this fall. Wondering what folks do with the hole in the deck? I suppose just stretch a small tarp over it and bungee cord it tightly (not sure there is even a lip there for a bungee as I'm not aboard as I write this) to keep the rain and snow out? Or is there a product made for this? Do yards supply a blocker of some sort? We have a canvas cover, but it has a center spine that nicely accommodates the mast. Curious what the old salts suggest...

Mike

Jackfish Girl, 1999, C36 MKII, Tall Rig, Wing Keel, In-mast furling, Monument Beach, Bourne, MA

Shadowfax
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Joined: 9/21/19
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  I’ve seen some folks make a plywood cover that fits like a cork in a bottle.  Very nice and professional.
  I just fold a large plastic trash bag as many times as I can until it covers the opening and then secure it with the extra large hose clamp I use to secure the mast boot. I usually have to replace it once during the winter as it deteriorates.  I live 5 minutes away from the boat so I check it when I pay my monthly storage bill :-\

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Pgutierrez
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Posts: 224

Shadow Fax was right on.  
1) Above the deck - deck plate:  Cut out an oval, round or square piece of any type of wood, 1/2 to 1” thick, large enough to be at least 2-3” larger than the “mast hole” or metal ring structure that the mast slides in.
2) In side cabin top - Cut a second piece, similar to cut out for above the deck (actually can be a 12” X 2” X 1/2” strip of hard wood. 
3). Drill two matching holes about 2” apart from center, secure deck plate to in cabin top piece with two 4” screws.

peter g

2000 C36, MK2, Hull. #1897
wonderful, wonderful, wonderful ! ! !.   5 th Catalina

 

 

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bakerha
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Joined: 7/23/10
Posts: 267

My PO made a plate like above only put a threaded rod with wing nut on top though the center.  Made it easy to install by myself.
I sealed the plywood with penetrating epoxy to protect it.

_____________
Harold Baker
S/V Lucky Duck
Duncan Bay Boat Club
Cheboygan Michigan - Lake Huron
1989 C-36 mkI TR/WK M25XP

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Parsons
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Posts: 95

Based on the question, I assume that you're storing outside.  Why bother to remove the mast, rigging, etc?  I store outside along with a few hundred other boats in our local area, and no one removes their rig (unless they're working on the masthead for some other reason). Owners either shrink-wrap, use custom canvas covers, or rig blue tarps with bungees and twine.  The do-it-yourself tarp folks usually make it about halfway through the winter, so I'd not recommend that.  Some folks insist that loosening the shrouds saves them and the deck, others argue the opposite, but I've not seen consensus.  Removing the mast costs an additional $150, and is a pain to re-rig, so what's the purpose?

John Parsons
"Water Music" 1999 Catalina 36 Mk II - Hull 1771
Tall Rig, Fin Keel
Bay City, MI, USA

McFly
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Joined: 10/22/18
Posts: 200

John, I certainly don't plan to do it every winter.  But this boat is new to me and the PO never took it down.  I think it needs to be inspected thoroughly. Additionally, my VHF has range issues, so that needs to be tested.  The anchor light doesn't work and I would like to update everything to LED lighting anyway.  I feel like its a good idea to pull the spar and check things out.  And yes, storing outside, the boat came with a custom frame and canvas cover.

Mike

Jackfish Girl, 1999, C36 MKII, Tall Rig, Wing Keel, In-mast furling, Monument Beach, Bourne, MA

McFly
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Posts: 200

Great suggestions, I like the idea of cutting out ovals, epoxing them, and making some kind of "clamping rod" to hold them together with butterfly nuts.  

Mike

Jackfish Girl, 1999, C36 MKII, Tall Rig, Wing Keel, In-mast furling, Monument Beach, Bourne, MA

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William Matley
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Joined: 1/15/08
Posts: 166

McFly
If you are putting a tarp over the boat for the winter, just take a old or cheap umbrella, stick it up the mast hole, open it,  and tie the handle down, in side the boat.  This has the added benefit of allowing some venting.
Another way I have done it is to put an old pillow inside a garbage bag, stuff that up the hole.  Bulge the pillow so that it make a great oversized mast plug.

Bill Matley
Duncan Bay Boat Club
Cheboygan, Michigan
Lakes Huron, Michigan,
Canadian North Channel
"Spirit of Aloha" Hull #1252

McFly
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Posts: 200

Good stuff, thank you Bill.  

Mike

Jackfish Girl, 1999, C36 MKII, Tall Rig, Wing Keel, In-mast furling, Monument Beach, Bourne, MA

Clifford Bassett's picture
Clifford Bassett
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Joined: 11/7/10
Posts: 30

Mike,  Cutting out ovals is a little more complicated than is necessary.  All you need to due is cut Two (2) rectangles one slightly larger than the opening and the second slightly smaller than the opening.  The tighter the fit for the smaller rectangle the smaller the lip required.  Epoxy together and drill a hole in the center and put an eyebolt through and secure.  This will hold the Two (2) together forever,  Tie a line from the eyebolt down to the shoe ( at the base of the mast ), I have a hole in mine to assit in draining rain water coming down the Mast.  If you don"t have then put the line thu the access hole for the wires coming from the Mast and secure.  This will make it secire even if the boatyard desides to move you, that could and often happens.  

I trailored my Boat with this type of Hat and it stayed in place.

Captain Cliff

Clifford Bassett
s/v " Red Dog "
1984 C-36 Hull # 260
M25 SR/FK
​Holland, Michigan
 

McFly
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Posts: 200

That seems like an easy enough arrangement. Thanks Cliff.

Mike

Jackfish Girl, 1999, C36 MKII, Tall Rig, Wing Keel, In-mast furling, Monument Beach, Bourne, MA

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