NACRA 5.2 Mast Hound Problem--Your Thoughts?

The boat is a 1981 NACRA 5.2

I took down my mast today and noticed that one rivet on the starboard side of the mast hound is slightly sticking out.

All the other rivets are fine (ignore the white centers that you see on some of the rivets; this is old mast sealant).

My thought is to just watch the rivet, checking on it when I step the mast or once a year. The mast hound is very tight against the mast and has no other problems.

Image 1 http://flic.kr/p/aiHZ8f
Image 2 http://flic.kr/p/aiHZ3W
Image 3 http://flic.kr/p/aiFbva
Image 4 http://flic.kr/p/aiFbwM


Your thoughts?

Thanks,
Eric



Edited by esarratt on Sep 02, 2011 - 06:51 PM.
Replace it

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Nacra 5.2
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I agree, some engineer put that rivet there for a reason. It's a very cheap, & simple fix, You can use old sails, live with dings in the rudders, why take chances with the rigging?

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Hobie 18 Magnum
Dart 15
Mystere 6.0XL Sold Was a handful solo
Nacra 5.7
Nacra 5.0
Bombardier Invitation (Now officially DEAD)
Various other Dock cluttering WaterCrap
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No reason not to replace it. You can get a wishbone style rivetter for about $20 at any harbor freight (gun type rivetters don't seem to have the leverage for stainless rivetts). Drill out the rivets and get a couple of 3/16" x 3/8" stainless rivets and some rivet sleeves from murray's (in case the hole is ovalized a bit) and replace it. It is always good to have some spare rivets and sleeves anyway, in case a rivet comes loose or you want to move something.

Regards,
Dave

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Dave Bonin
1981 Nacra 5.2 "Lucile"
1986 Nacra 5.7 "Belle"
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
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