Keel Stepped Mast - Chainplate Work

[racushman]

So my O34 is my first boat with a keel stepped mast... and I'm contemplating doing some chain plate bedding work which would cause me to need to disconnect one whole side/set of uppers/intermediates/lowers at the same time.

I'm wondering how stable the freestanding section is on its own? I'm thinking i could use a spinnaker halyard and the main halyard secured to the toe rail to brace things, but in general i'm curious how careful i need to be.

Thanks,
Rob

 

[Loren Beach]

I would sort of guess that on a calm day our masts could just stand there, held up by the amount of spar below the cabin top.
But I would always lead a spare halyard (you have two wing halyards) to the toe rail and sock it up snug. If you have any further paranoia, lead the spinn. topping lift there also. That supports the mid section as well as the top. Better to be extra sure...

We had both thru-deck shroud connections pulled and re-bedded back when the whole rig was off for a new standing rig. Being 'born under a lucky star' our boat had zero sign of an water intrusion. in the coring.

Note that you will probably need to pull the settee back (teak faced) piece off of the side you are working on. Remove the teak plugs, and withdraw the screws. It lifts out easily. Good opportunity to varnish it out, IMHO. no need to ever put those plugs back in, either -- the screw heads are not visible when the settee vertical cushion pieces are in place anyway.