Woodwind
Active Member
Since we’re on the topic of mast bases...I purchased one of those Teflon discs that you insert into the “mast hole” ( what is the proper term ?)
Think I got it from Intensity, it sounded like a good idea to stop sand from grinding the base of the hole (just in case I miss a few grains of sand) and also allowing the mast to rotate more freely.
i’ve used high modulus plastic to construct bushings on my big boat rudder, and It makes a big difference.
The Teflon disc is too large to slip down there in the mast hole perfectly on my boat, I think I’m an 80’s something model Acquired three months ago.
Ended up making a little pleat on it self to fit down in the bottom, but it doesn’t seem to be affecting the base seating properly or rotating.
So I’ve left it in there I’m just going to try it out. But if I did it in the future I would trim it so that the diameter is a little bit smaller before I dropped it in. Now I’ve got to figure out how to retrieve it If I do. Some long nosed something tool. Next time I’m going to cut a hole in the bottom of a plastic bottle and use a string to hold a disc up against the bottle to push it down evenly or use a piece of PVC pipe.
Maybe use the mast base as the template for diameter size? I haven’t asked Jim Myers at Intensity yet I’m sure he has the answer if they’re are different diameters of disks or if I should be cutting it down.
Since it’s already in there I’m going to leave it for a while and see what it looks like after I sail it for a while.
Had another rip roaring sail yesterday the wind was up, and I was really accelerating in the gusts probably 18 yesterday ...
these Sunfish really move out don’t they!!!!!! WOOOO HOOOOOO!!!!!!
My hands were tired from not having anything on which to cleat off, I just have a carbo ratchet block, but I’m too chicken to cleat off anyway in the gusty wind that I’m sailing in right now. I now understand that it could be very easy to capsize if you missed uncleating on time. Too cold right now to practice capsizing
P.S. Probably is a good idea to flush that mast base hole out periodically huh. I lucked out I got one that holds water indefinitely so it’s integrity is intact, so I should probably protect it as someone obviously has done for many years for this particular hull. Respect
Think I got it from Intensity, it sounded like a good idea to stop sand from grinding the base of the hole (just in case I miss a few grains of sand) and also allowing the mast to rotate more freely.
i’ve used high modulus plastic to construct bushings on my big boat rudder, and It makes a big difference.
The Teflon disc is too large to slip down there in the mast hole perfectly on my boat, I think I’m an 80’s something model Acquired three months ago.
Ended up making a little pleat on it self to fit down in the bottom, but it doesn’t seem to be affecting the base seating properly or rotating.
So I’ve left it in there I’m just going to try it out. But if I did it in the future I would trim it so that the diameter is a little bit smaller before I dropped it in. Now I’ve got to figure out how to retrieve it If I do. Some long nosed something tool. Next time I’m going to cut a hole in the bottom of a plastic bottle and use a string to hold a disc up against the bottle to push it down evenly or use a piece of PVC pipe.
Maybe use the mast base as the template for diameter size? I haven’t asked Jim Myers at Intensity yet I’m sure he has the answer if they’re are different diameters of disks or if I should be cutting it down.
Since it’s already in there I’m going to leave it for a while and see what it looks like after I sail it for a while.
Had another rip roaring sail yesterday the wind was up, and I was really accelerating in the gusts probably 18 yesterday ...
these Sunfish really move out don’t they!!!!!! WOOOO HOOOOOO!!!!!!
My hands were tired from not having anything on which to cleat off, I just have a carbo ratchet block, but I’m too chicken to cleat off anyway in the gusty wind that I’m sailing in right now. I now understand that it could be very easy to capsize if you missed uncleating on time. Too cold right now to practice capsizing
P.S. Probably is a good idea to flush that mast base hole out periodically huh. I lucked out I got one that holds water indefinitely so it’s integrity is intact, so I should probably protect it as someone obviously has done for many years for this particular hull. Respect
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