Hello
I haver a 1987 Nonsuch 36. I checked my mast collar bolts yesterday (the 4 that thread through the mast collar and secure the mast and keep it from shifting in the collar) and found 3 to be tight and the 4th to be loose. I tried to tighten it but it just spins in the threaded hole. The bolt actually touches the mast and cannot be shifted back and forth in the mast collar so I assume some threads at some point are stripped and preventing it from tightening. The mast does not shift in the collar as things are. I went sailing yesterday in 15 knots and some reasonable waves and no shifting was noted (or at least I could not hear any, and I do know what to listen for when a couple years ago all the bolts loosened, and I thus now know to check them).
My question is whether this is something that must be addressed and if so what? My assumption is a fix would require mast removal, collar removal and drilling and threading a new bolt hole and then reassembly. Any experience or suggestions on what to do would be appreciated.
Thank you.
John Waldhausen
Nonsuch #57
Northern Star
Bainbridge Island, WA
You should be able to Helicoil it. You should also be able to remove the collar without removing the mast. Bed the Helicoil in red Locktite and you should be good to go.
John, are you talking about the mast step casting which sits on the keel and has four bolts, two forward and two aft that hold the base of the mast, the deck partner casting which holds the mast at deck level or the collar that holds the turn blocks which lead the lines back to the cockpit?
I mean the mast step casting that sits on the keel of the boat. The casting is securely fixed to the keel but one of the 4 bolts that keep the mast from shifting in the casting is the issue.
Sorry I misunderstood. You may still be able to Helicoil it in place. Can you reach it relatively easily? I have a 30U and it would be difficult to get at the front two but I think doable if there is enough clearance above the floor to drill out the hole.
A right angle drill adapter will get you less clearance too.
John: Those bolts should have lock nuts on them. If not, this can happen. As someone mentioned, use a Helicoil insert to repair. The Helicoil kit should come with a tap, several coils and instructions. they are sold by size in any auto parts store. Take the misfortunate bolt with you for sizing.
Joe Valinoti
S/V iL Gatto NS30U #221
Sea Harbour YC
Oriental, NC USA
Paul,
Im not sure there is clearance for the Heilcoil when I looked it up after you wrote, but that led me to seeing some other products that might work, one from Locktite that was a liquid rethread agent and another that had an external stainless thread and an internal thread through which one can place a new bolt. So I’ll look into those. Thanks! I wasnt aware of any of these things. (I was afraid this was going to expend my financial ability to put on solar power this year, but perhaps not).
John
Bainbridge Island, WA
Nonsuch 36 #57
Northern Star
Joe,
None of mine do, but that would also fix this issue. All of them are just screwed through the collar and to the mast so pressure on the mast is all that tightens them. I’ll have to go back to the owners manual and see if they were there originally but are missing. I suspect this would also solve the problem.
Thank you.
John
Nonsuch 36, #57
Northern Star
Bainbridge Island
Joe
I just looked at the manual and you are right. The 4 bolts on my boat are in slightly different positions but the manual does say locking nuts should be there. I’ll get some. Thanks again.
John
Nonsuch 36, #57
Northern Star
Bainbridge Island