Opinions on this mast upgrade?

[tip]

Alright, so the mast on my SJ24 has this slot:



Obviously, it would be easier to raise the main without having to manually guide each main slug past this opening. The previous owner was going to take care of this but never had the money, so he gave me the part # for a plate made by RigRite especially for this mast. So I drilled holes and tapped them for the thumb screws.



Problem is, the main slugs get caught when raising and lowering the main. I called RigRite and they said my mast must have been modified, since all SJ24's came with Kenyon 3650 masts.

So... they are letting me return it ($80 after shipping), but they can't help me out with finding the correct one or making a longer one (said it will cost "-/+ $750 just for setup"). They also suggested I elongate the slot in the mast even more and buy one more plate.

What do you guys think? Could someone good with welding aluminum be able to extend it for me without sacrificing strength?

[jarcher]

What! $750? Before you ship it back to RigRite, take it to a local machinist and ask them how much to make a longer version. I can't believe it will cost anywhere near $750! I think $80 for that plate is pushing it...

[hellosailor]

Tip, not looking to cheat Rigrite or anything but rather than doing butt wleding on aluminum plate? I'd say to just take the plate to a local machine shop and ask them if they can bend up a piece of similar aluminum stock, but use a piece that's two inches longer. I'm guessing they might charge you $100 for a piece of metal, bent, with two slots cut in it the same way. Anodizing it is going to cost something more, maybe another $25-40 if you can drop it off at a shop that's doing a batch of other stuff at the same time.

Heck, maybe someone at Rigrite could just have one made up a few inches longer if they used their imagination, that plate has to be CUT DOWN from a larger sheet at some point anyhow.

[Pub911]

I agree the last post. OMG! The engineering in the plate you purchased is likely to cost you less than $100 by a local fabrication shop. It's not a load baring item. You could even tap 2 new holes closer to the mouth of that opening and have a much smaller plate made up - it wouldn't need to take the mast's curve if you make it narrow enough. Aluminum or stainless would work. Just be sure to use the good to discourage corrosion when you install the hardware if you use SS on the aluminum? spar.

And I know it's a J, but you could also DIY it from Home Depot parts if you really wanted to go cheap (yes, I KNOW it's a J).

US Spars Z190 Mast Gate Plates ~ Beneteau First 235

[sailingdog]

RigRite is whacked... Wholeheartedly agree with jarcher and Hellosailor...

I'd add that you will probably want to round the corners on the plate so they're less likely to snag things...

[tip]

Yeah, needless to say, I am pretty put off by RigRite's customer service. This is also a direct quote from an email:

"We would be happy to do it, as Chevy would be happy to make you a Camaro w/ a 2" longer wheelbase"

Also, the price was actually $60 but after shipping from RI to WA it was $80. I don't get the shipping back unfortunately (both ways). I think I'll take it down to a machine shop and see if they can fab something longer up.

[jarcher]

Originally Posted by tip

Yeah, needless to say, I am pretty put off by RigRite's customer service. This is also a direct quote from an email:

"We would be happy to do it, as Chevy would be happy to make you a Camaro w/ a 2" longer wheelbase"

Also, the price was actually $60 but after shipping from RI to WA it was $80. I don't get the shipping back unfortunately (both ways). I think I'll take it down to a machine shop and see if they can fab something longer up.

I have never heard anything good about RigRite, and lots not so good. They are a 15 minute drive from me and I won't deal with them.