Mast step reinforcement

R

Rich B

New Member
I am currently looking to buy a good used Laser and have also been reading several threads here regarding reinforcing the mast step. Is there a certain year after which you don't have to be as concerned with the mast step breaking, or is it just inspecting a boat thoroughly before buying to make sure it doesn't leak and there are no spider cracks around the step? Will upgrades like a Harken or Holt vang put enough more pressure on the mast where this would be an increased concern?

TIA

Rich
 
Wish I could help - I sail a '73 boat so can't add much intelligence to whether there's a "boundary" tween 1973 and now. Bump.

Another thought- if there's a local fleet, mebbe swing by there before they launch, and physically look at their boats- like, which ones have inspection ports near the mast step, and show evidence of deck repairs around the mast step. Then talk to the sailors or look at the hull numbers to get an idea of the age of those that have needed repairs, and those that have not.

good luck,
 
Memory fails me as to the year when they started putting the stainless plate at the base of the mast step, but believe it was in the 90's (A search on this forum will find the answer) Once they did that, the majority of the mast base problems went away (that or the fact the boats are just approaching the 20 year mark)

If it's got the SS plate, would not be as concerned, but regardless a good inspection is needed on a 15+ year old hull.
 
49208 said:
Memory fails me as to the year when they started putting the stainless plate at the base of the mast step, but believe it was in the 90's (A search on this forum will find the answer) Once they did that, the majority of the mast base problems went away (that or the fact the boats are just approaching the 20 year mark)

If it's got the SS plate, would not be as concerned, but regardless a good inspection is needed on a 15+ year old hull.
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I searched the threads re. the SS plate, and it seems that the were built with a stainless steel plate "sometime in the 90's", but not sure what year. Anyone know for sure of the year? It may influence decision on what used boat to buy.
 
If it's a boat from the early - mid 90's you'll be able to see the plate easily if it's there.
 
49208 said:
If it's a boat from the early - mid 90's you'll be able to see the plate easily if it's there.
Click to expand...

Thanks a bunch! I had been considering some 1985—1988 boats, but now I am thinking I should be looking for something at least 1993 or so because of the SS plate at the base of the mast step, or is it an easy upgrade to put in an after-market plate in those older lasers?
 
You can use the top of a Pringle can if you wish... When it wears out get a new one from the kitchen trash.
 
Just drop it in the mast step. It'll give you a 'wear plate' that is cheap and apparently legal.
 
No I just put them in loose. When they wear out just fish out the remains and put another one in.
 
As I sail in the sea would the sand and salt in the water get in the tumble and under the Pringles can lid and grind the mast step.
 
Greg Morrissey said:
As I sail in the sea would the sand and salt in the water get in the tumble and under the Pringles can lid and grind the mast step.
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I would say yes. The mast base has grooves for the sand to collect and avoid the problem, allegedly.

"Will upgrades like a Harken or Holt vang put enough more pressure on the mast where this would be an increased concern?"
You mean mast base rather than mast. I am not an engineer but it seems to me that the kicker forces are contained in the rig and not transferred through the mast base. They put more pressure on the boom so from 2002? booms are sleeved to strengthen them. Beware old boom and upgrade kicker!
 
as far as i know the boats starting with sail no 160000 thats about 1990 onwards have the ss plate in the bottom of the mast step and to get a mast step repaired normaly costs about £100-£300 depending if it has damaged the deck or if you have caught it before it has gone too far the two main problems with the laser mast step are the dontut at the bottom breaking up and the top pf the pot where it attatches to the deck cracking off the new 200000 sail number boats do not use the donut system in the bottom of the pot according to laser but they didnt tell me what they had done instead i ill find out sooner or later
 
Greg Morrissey said:
As I sail in the sea would the sand and salt in the water get in the tumble and under the Pringles can lid and grind the mast step.
Click to expand...

The answer to that is to rinse the step out each time you sail and then dry it using a jug mop or something similar.
 
Possibly which is why you should be careful to keep the bottom section clean when you lift it is and avoid getting sand and dirt down the tube.

The way i do it is to pick up the bottom first, wipe it then lift the rest being careful to not the the mast touch the ground again.

Easy enough in light winds, you will probably need a hand when the breeze gets up.
 
I will make sure to do that every time i sail now. I was inspecting my mast step from the inside of the hull and i noticed that the donut at the bottom is black. Are the usually that colour?
 
IMG_0667.jpg
 
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