Welding on a Nacra mast base :: Catamaran Sailboats at TheBeachcats.com

Welding on a Nacra mast base

pknapp66

Rank: Mate

Registered: May 09, 2009

Last visit: Aug 14, 2024

Posts: 686
Posted: Aug 17, 2019 - 01:20 PM

I was wondering if anyone has experience welding on a Nacra mast base. I need to repair the holes for the step pin that were broken raising the mast. Mainly wondering how the material is to weld. I have been
honing my tig skills and am finding a wide discrepancy between different cast aluminum. Some welds
like spreading butter, others not so much. Before I attack the mast I want to know what I am up against
in the quality of the aluminum.

Thanks.

--
Pete Knapp
Schodack landing,NY
Goodall Viper,AHPC Viper,Nacra I20
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wlrottge

Rank: Mate

Registered: Oct 24, 2006

Last visit: Jun 21, 2023

Posts: 160
Posted: Aug 17, 2019 - 02:17 PM

For $120 you can get a new mast base from Murray's.

Or, for free, you can just take a piece of line and tie it around the mast and to the front beam as a preventer. This will keep the mast from coming completely off while raising/lowering. My Marstrom Tornado didn't and my Nacra 20C doesn't have a pin in the base; point being, the pin isn't a necessity.
pknapp66

Rank: Mate

Registered: May 09, 2009

Last visit: Aug 14, 2024

Posts: 686
Posted: Aug 17, 2019 - 04:41 PM

The base at Murrays for the carbon mast is $135 and isn't the one that I have with the 3 sheaves on the base.
I don't see mine listed. I know about the trick to use a piece of line, but I prefer the simplicity of the pin.
I can't make my base any worse so I will try and weld on the ears.

--
Pete Knapp
Schodack landing,NY
Goodall Viper,AHPC Viper,Nacra I20
--
JohnES

Rank: Mate

Registered: Sep 01, 2002

Last visit: Oct 31, 2024

Posts: 796
Posted: Aug 17, 2019 - 07:20 PM

wlrottgeF

Or, for free, you can just take a piece of line and tie it around the mast and to the front beam as a preventer. This will keep the mast from coming completely off while raising/lowering.

Standard Operating Procedure for a NACRA... that pin in there tear up your mast ball and looks only..

--
John Schwartz
Ventura, CA
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wlrottge

Rank: Mate

Registered: Oct 24, 2006

Last visit: Jun 21, 2023

Posts: 160
Posted: Aug 17, 2019 - 11:51 PM

pknapp66The base at Murrays for the carbon mast is $135 and isn't the one that I have with the 3 sheaves on the base.
I don't see mine listed. I know about the trick to use a piece of line, but I prefer the simplicity of the pin.
I can't make my base any worse so I will try and weld on the ears.

Sorry, you didn't specify which mast base you were looking for.

Regardless, I agree with JohnES; if you weld it and it doesn't work well and you're relying on only the pin, your mast isn't going to have a good day.