Mast step

[Murray Raff]

Thanks very much again Phillip!

[Swift]

When I bought Swift 13 years ago the mast girder appeared to be in good condition, however rust soon began to bubble under the Zinc paint. That was the start of my long battle. I have used many treatments including a 3 part rust converter, rust proof primer and so called “epoxy” top coat. Nothing worked in the long run until I decided to use real epoxy. Proper 100% low viscosity transparent epoxy that I had left over from building a dinghy. One primer coat, second filler coat mixed with micro balloons, sand smooth, top coat, final coat of standard white paint. Problem solved, this is the only treatment that has worked.

Cheers
Keith

[Murray Raff]

Following up replacement of the 'girder' mast step with one in aluminium, do other steel girders have the iron(?) ring in the centre, as seen in these photos? If so, was that an obstacle to the conversion? Kind regards, Murray

[Murray Raff]

When I bought Swift 13 years ago the mast girder appeared to be in good condition, however rust soon began to bubble under the Zinc paint. That was the start of my long battle. I have used many treatments including a 3 part rust converter, rust proof primer and so called “epoxy” top coat. Nothing worked in the long run until I decided to use real epoxy. Proper 100% low viscosity transparent epoxy that I had left over from building a dinghy. One primer coat, second filler coat mixed with micro balloons, sand smooth, top coat, final coat of standard white paint. Problem solved, this is the only treatment that has worked.

Cheers
Keith

Hi Keith, I imagine that your expoxy encasement of the steel mast girder has isolated it from electrolysis with the aluminium mast. I have gone for fabrication of an aluminium mast girder, as you might have gathered from my posts. There is a lot about this topic on this blog if you search under 'girder'. I think you are the first Top Hat owner, about whose experiences I have read, who has managed to solve the problem without the aluminium option. Kind regards, Murray

[Phillip]

That ring is the shoe that fits inside your mast Murray.

It should be of cast aluminium and fits inside the mast to support it at the mast girder.

You should recover it clean and replace.

[Murray Raff]

Thanks very much Phillip! It's stuck really tight - might have to cut it out!

[Phillip]

Make sure you use plenty of Duralex both on the girder mast and insert.

[Murray Raff]

Thanks Phillip! One more query, if I may - how did you deal with the six shackles (three either side) along the aft vertical of the girder? First, do they tend to chw out the aluminium, and second, do they also electrolyse. with the aluminium? I’m thinking of using hard plastic grommets. My fabricator says I could use these for the bolts - apparently they are sold in plumbing shops. Best wishes, Murray

[Phillip]

So far, and its been 4 plus years, there has been no sign of any damage or corrosion.

I think plastic grommets would chew out, but don't let that stop you having a go.
I would be interested to see how they go.

[Boydie]

Another idea for the arrangement of blocks on an aluminium mast girder from Ripple Too. May be of interest to some if rebuilding. No real signs of wear from the Becketts and probably 10 years old. Also shows what the Sika Flex underneath looks like after a decade or so.



Josh