tophatyachts.com

OK, that may not have been a correct description, but here goes.

Is it usual for your mast to move (twist - rotate) on it's base? I was looking at it on Saturday thinking that the port spreader was further aft and the starbord was further forward. Looing at the mast at the base, the sail runner is not in the centre any longer.

I know on some dinghys this can be normal, but being a relative novice on Top Hats, I thought I'd ask the question.

Michael
Dulcamara

Hi Michael,

This sounds strange to me. I do not think the mast should be able to rotate on a Tophat. I would have thought the lowers, if properly tensioned, and the steel mast step would have prevented any movement. I have never seen any rotation on my boat. It may cost a few bucks, but it might be worth having a rigger take a look. Let us know how you get on.

Cheers
Mark
Storm Petrel

Hi Michael i have just finished a extensive repair to a top hat mast , there should be 4 locating screws at the bottom ,that screw into the sole to stop this sort of thing happening, also i would have thought that the rigging tension should stop this and hold everything i place , i think you need to have a long hard look, it seems very strange and dangerous. cheers Taunto

Taunto

Not sure if im taking this wrong, but are you not referring to the large steel chunk aka harbour bridge that the mast fits into? (My mast certainly doesnt have any screws in the bottom but the structure into which is sits does)

I think Michael is talking about the mast turning inside said structure itself.

Michael, after our email discussion i gave it some thought, i cant see the main halyard pulley located close to deck having sufficient force to pull the mast around, its hard to say what may have caused it but it may be as simple as the last time the stick was taken down it wasnt placed back centered..

Does the previous owner know the origin of this?

All in all, if shes been sailing well and true for many years in such a condition theres no reason she wouldnt go a couple more years as is, something to look into when the stick comes down for overhaul next id imagine (then again i aint no rigger)

Michael, pic attached shows the vang block and where i attached the reefing block as discussed in our email (taunto not sure if the screws in this pic are what you are referring to ?? )
Dan

Hi Michael i have just removed my steel mast base and replaced it with a hinge so i can lower my mast to trailer the boat. but i noticed that the original cast aloy male plug that fits into the mast is a lot smaler than the mast section and it could turn from side to side i hope this may help cheers brett 2Yr rebuild and still going

I got a pic so it may be easier to explain.

The harbour bridge hasn't moved, it's just the mast rotated slightly in the fitting as Dan (auriga) said.

In the pic, see the circled turn block. This is the halyard block and is attached to the mast itself, same as the headsail halyard. All the other blocks are shackled to the bridge, including reefs, vang, spinaker and topping lift. I will move the block from the mast, but as you say, I may have to have a rigger look at it and check out the foot properly.



So, I don't believe it's dangerous, just perhaps not right and will get another opinion from a professional rigger.

Thanks for all the replies so far,

Michael