Cal 40 Mast step replacement

Hello Cal Owners, I am looking to get some information about the Mast Step replacement in the Cal 40. My main question is has anyone replaced the mast step while the boat was still in the water? Or on the hard? My Cal 40 mast step is in horrible condition and the new one is about a week away from completion. I will be hauling the boat for bottom and topside paint but I am considering replacing the mast step first which will also allow me to rebuild the mast at the same time. Once the mast and step are completed I could then haul, paint and reassemble. Any thoughts are welcomed. Patrick "Wheee Dogggie" 1968 Cal 40

On May 4, 2009, at 8:11 AM, wheee_dogggie wrote: > > > Hello Cal Owners, > > I am looking to get some information about the Mast Step replacement > in the Cal 40. My main question is has anyone replaced the mast step > while the boat was still in the water? Or on the hard? > > My Cal 40 mast step is in horrible condition and the new one is > about a week away from completion. I will be hauling the boat for > bottom and topside paint but I am considering replacing the mast > step first which will also allow me to rebuild the mast at the same > time. Once the mast and step are completed I could then haul, paint > and reassemble. > > Any thoughts are welcomed. > Are you referring to the beam or the step that sits atop the glass over the beam ? I had a new one made with a tang for a deck downhaul rod because the old one was corroded and the new mast was smaller in section. I was planning to use turning blocks for halyards instead of winches on the new mast and needed a tie rod to keep from pulling the deck up with the turning blocks. The shop that did the mast made the new step using the old one as a pattern for bolt holes, etc. Also, the old one had an eye inside for a pin through the mast that keeps it from unseating in a capsize. That is required for offshore racing and is a good idea anyway. I don't think I have a photo of the new step before it was in place, though. Mike Kennedy Conquest Cal 40 # 96 > > > Patrick > "Wheee Dogggie" > 1968 Cal 40 > > >