Stainless Mast Straps

Questions & Answers
1

Inspection showed early signs of corrosion under the stainless straps used to secure the aluminum mast track. I suspected that the isolation layer between the mast and stainless strap may have failed, but the only way to know for sure is to cut the strap, inspect , and replace it.

I began the process yesterday, and had two surprises. First a good one… mast under the strap looked good. Second, not so good. I had thought it would be simple to slide the strap out from behind Soave’s Tides sail track. It seems to be fastened such that I may need to remove the tides track.

Before I move forward with unnecessary effort, does anyone know the proper disassembly procedure for the stainless straps ? Should they slide out from behind the Tides Sail Track or do I have to remove the track to remove the old strap ?

For some added visual perspective, ( HERE ) is a link to the Google Album I’m using to document this project.

Thanks,
Rob…

2

Rob,

Verify with Mike Quill, but I’m pretty sure the bands run between the spacer and the track, i.e., the track is screwed to the spacer above and below the band. If so, that’s good news for sliding an old band out and bad news for getting a new one in.

– Bob

3

Yes, the straps slide out, but are a tight fit.

4

Bob & Brian,
That’s a relief !

I was at the end of a 4-hour session of working outside in the mid-30’s… When this came up, I was more than happy to step back and get some advice from the group.

Thanks! I’ll give it another try on Monday. Also looking forward to getting Soave’s new cover on Monday.

Rob…

5

Rob,
Glad you got the ss band issue sorted.
Congratulations on your new cover. If it’s the one I have you will love it. (Fairclough)
It’s much nicer to work under in the dark months than shrink wrap. I’m looking forward to mine going on soon. Installing and removing and storing costs about the same as shrink wrap ( if you rely on their service)but allows much more freedom of movement when onboard
and breathes much better.
Brian

6

Rob,

Looking at your video, it might be that the following will work:

  • keep the blue line around the old piece with some pressure on it
  • try to slip the new band into place underneath it as far as you can
  • then keep trying to push the new band through from one side as you withdraw the old one from the other

It may also help to lubricate the new band with say WD-40 or something at the spot where it needs to slide under. Lubricant shouldn’t hurt the Tides track, the stainless track that the Tides track covers, the band, or the spacer.

– Bob

7

If all else fails Mabey these guys can help

United States Tides Marine, Inc. 3251A SW 13th Drive Deerfield Beach, FL 33442 Toll Free Phone General Phone General / Order Fax 954-420-0945 www.tidesmarine.com

8

I had another go at removing the stainless straps. They will slide out from behind the Tides track.

Unfortunately, I don’t see a way to slide in the new stainless strap with a proper isolation layer between the strap and the mast. Too tight a space and too much friction.

I’m thinking of removing the Tides track to get a clear view of the underlying sail track. Looks like the tides track will slide fairly easy.

Thoughts ? Comments ?

On the separate note, I’m very pleased with the folks from Fairclough. Soave’s new cover fit like a glove.

Photos of Frame and Cover.

Rob…

9

Yeah, they are tight to get back in. I did worry about them scraping down to the bare aluminum, but I was using high quality band clamps (giant hose clamps) rather than the crimped on bands and the side towards the mast had rounded over edges. They did not appear to scrape off paint, even though they are actually slightly thicker than the bands. I do inspect them regularly, just in case, and have not seen a problem yet. Also, they are over that protective sail track strip, so if they do cause corrosion it will not affect the mast directly.

10

Unless the set-up on your N33 differs from what I’ve seen on my Nonsuches, the Tides track will have been simply slid (slided?) over a standard track, and is held in place by gravity and a stopper screw or the like at the bottom.

If your mast is out of the boat and laid out horizontal, sliding it off should be a piece of cake.

If it’s in the boat, it gets more awkward but is still do-able. I’m not familiar with N33s, but most of the others have a forward-facing opening port in the cabintop. Have someone below in the cabin to pull on it and collect it while someone at the mast base helps it down. Do it when the track’s been warmed by the sun and is most pliable.

– Bob

11

If the mast is out of the boat I would say by all means, take the Tides track off. If for no other reason than to keep it loosened up and possible to remove! I replaced my track this summer and it was miserably difficult for two reasons. 1. Some of the screws for the stainless mast track were a little high-domed and the drag they added was amazing. 2. The stainless track makes a slight S-bend as it transitions from the top of that protective sail track attachment plate down onto the mast. Between these two it required a lot of work, drilling cross holes in the old track, attaching a line, hauling it down with my power winch, cutting the section off, and repeating. I think I counted 17 pieces and it took all day. I filed down the obstructions and smoothed the bend in the track and was able to push the new track up by hand, though it did still take some effort towards the end.

12

I’ve have the mast down for the winter, so now is a good time. I kinda like the idea of inspecting what’s under the Tides track.

13

Brian,
I hope my Tide’s track comes out easier than yours … I’d like to remove it in one piece and reuse it.
Rob

14

I hope so, too! Whether you re-use it or not.

At least with your mast down you have options. You can wiggle the track and feel where it is binding and then help it past those places with more wiggling or a heat gun or something. If you do get it off, but experience tight spots, be sure and identify the causes and fix them, then it will slide back on much more easily.

Your track originally came with some extra parts to help with this process. Hopefully the PO left them in the boat somewhere. One of those parts is a 2 or 3 inch long piece of the track. It was cut from the actual extrusion from which your track was cut, so it is an exact match. You take that little piece and run it along the 7/8” SS track to find binding spots.

If the binding spots are high screws, you can hit them with a flap wheel on a grinder to knock them down a bit. Take a tiny bit off at a time and re-test continually because you don’t want to remove so much that you can never get the screw out.

If the binding spots are where the SS track bends off of the top end of that track backing strip, then you can also grind it lightly until it goes smoothly. You can also lessen that bend angle a little bit by removing the track screw just above the top of the track backing strip (the first screw into the mast) and putting a washer between the track and the mast.

Another extra part it came with is a car (correct term?) like the ones on your sail which slide in the track. It has a SS ring on it and when it came from the factory it also had some cross-pins holding it into that little section of track that I mentioned earlier. This piece can be used to help pull the track on or off. You slide it up into the track, then put a cross-pin in the lower hole. Then you can attach a line to pull the Tides track off of the SS track. This is the part that I had to do over and over, drilling new cross-holes and winching downwards. These crossholes can take quite a bit of force, but if you are winching hard they distort, so don’t do that if you want to re-use your track. And obviously, don’t drill lots of holes. Just use the existing one and don’t over do it! With the mast on the ground you will hopefully have plenty of room to work.

15

Hi All,
Today I summoned the courage to remove Soave’s Tides track to gain better access to the stainless straps I’m replacing. Thought I’d share pictures for anyone contemplating replacing straps on their boat.

Step 1 - Remove screws at base that keep track from sliding.

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Step 2 - Remove tack collar and stop screws so track can slide down. The collar springs open once unbolted. Carefully slide out track. I was lucky, it slide easily. I rolled the Tides track to a 5’ radius and threw it in the track so I could clean an inspect it at home.

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Step 3 - Loosen track screws on either side of the strap being removed to ease pressure on the strap.

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Step 4 - Slide out strap.

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Now I’m pondering if I should go crazy disassembling, cleaning, reapplying isolation grease ( Forespar TEF45 ), and reassembling all the stuff covered by the Tides track?

Corrosion on mast had started but is minor. Glad to addressing it now.

Starting to drizzle so I will return another day and will take some more photos of the corrosion and remove the other straps.

Rob…

16

Rob,

How will you be installing the replacement straps? Did you spring for the expensive tool, or are you having the yard do it?

– Bob

17

Hi Bob,
Ha ! The yard doesn’t have one. There is a banding tool in our area and it’s owner has generously offered to loan it to me when the time comes.

If I couldn’t find one, I would have purchased it ( or encouraged a local rigger to buy one ) to ensure Nonsuch boats in our area could be properly maintained. I’m thrifty but have learned the difference between penny-wise and pound-foolish.

As I watch Soave age, a common theme comes to mind… Corrosion is no joke! Improperly isolated fittings, screws or bolts can turn a 10 min job into a 2 hour job ( or worse).

A 4oz tub of TEF45 costs about $35 at Defender and would last several years (a little dab will do you). Everyone should have one on hand and use it anytime work is being done on the boat.

I’m thinking a possible future workshop for LIS region might be stainless banding. Many owners have mentioned they’d like to perform preventative maintenance but uncertain about the disassembly and reassembly.

The rigger based in the Marina that Soave winters at has taken an interest in my project, I’m hoping to help him be comfortable enough to offer some fixed price Nonsuch services. I used him to drop Soave’s wishbone and step her mast. He was happy to let me tend to the Nonsuch specific junk.

I think he was as surprised as I to see what was under the Tides track.

So far I’ve been lucky, Soave’s mast is still on saw horses so I can work ( I had to beg a bit), but the marina winter storage is getting crowded, so I’m not sure how long I’ll enjoy such convenient access.

INA does a great job helping Nonsuch owners keep their old boats ship-shape. Thank-you and all the others that have worked tirelessly to preserve the knowledge and assimilate new ideas into the braintrust.

Am I having fun yet ? Actually yes, I enjoy both the sailing and the putzing about, hoping to achieve a level of competency (someday) to be able to complete tasks in reasonable time. Presently I take about 3x longer than a pro would, but I know nothing was glossed over.

Sail on…
Rob…