Have any of you ever replaced the mast step casting on a Prindle 18.
This one
I bought a new one from someone here that I guess had just been sitting around for a while and they come with these little divits where you drill your holes.
I drilled out the old mast step casting and removed it and had 2 problems.
First when trying to fit the new one it seems like it should be fine when I lay it one the beam next to the old one it likes great but when I actually attach to the dolphin striker rod and insert it through the beam the new one will not sit right on the beam it doesn't even come close to being able to mount properly. The front curved in edge hits the beam to soon when inserting the rod with the step attached.
Second I drilled out 2 of the divits being very carefull to be on the correct angle for the holes and the divits don't line up to the holes on my beam. Am I ok to fudge the holes on the step a little? because I don't want to fudge the holes on the beam. I only paid $10 for the step so If it's trash and I need to just get a new one I will but I wasn't to make sure I don't have the same problem again.
How can make sure my holes in a new one will match up. I figured the divits were there for a reason. If I can't trust them how can I make sure the holes line up perfectly. Should I mount it and drill completely new holes through the step and the beam at the same time in different locations than stock?
I did this a few weekends ago while camping so I ended up just putting the old step back on for now. It's been working for me this long but holes for the hinge on the top have busted out some and right now it has a bolt though it holding the hinge top in place. The bolt is to big to come out the damaged area and it is tightened down for added support. This has been working pretty well since I got the boat but just one of those little thing I wanted to fix along the way.
Dustin
Magna, UT
Prindle 18
Maybe the casting needs to be "massaged" a little with a grinder until it sits at the proper angle?
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Damon Linkous
You could also use 5200 under the mast base to act like a gasket to get a proper fit, or do both grind a little and use the 5200. If the holes almost line up, you could go to a 1/4 rivet instead of 3/16 for a better fit.
I wish I had the sense at the time to take pictures. It's hard to really see it, but front ends hold it off quite a bit. couldn't hurt to grind a little maybe but I only have a hand grinder no bench.
Dustin
Magna, UT
Prindle 18
I've got an idea for your problem that maybe could be verified by the Prindle folks here.
I looked at the Prindle 15-16-18 manual and it shows separate illustrations for the 15 & 16 mast steps and then the 18. The parts look just alike and both like yours, but maybe the prindle 18 beam is larger and therefore the the part is larger as well.
If that is the case and you have a Prindle 16 step instead of 18 that could be the problem.
Can you verify that the new part is exactly the size and shape of the old one?
Prindle 15 & 16 mast step
http://www.thebeachcats.com/index.php?module=pictures&g2_itemId=75697&g2_imageViewsIndex=1
Prindle 18 mast step
http://www.thebeachcats.com/index.php?module=pictures&g2_itemId=75697&g2_imageViewsIndex=1
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Damon Linkous
As far as comparing them side by side I saw no obvious difference in size so if there is it is very small but very small might be enough.
However Murrays lists them all together as the same part
I think the reason they are separate is not the step casting on the Beam but the step casting on the bottom of the mast is different. The 16 has a funny little bit that come out from the bottom and sits in front of the ball when up the 18 is Flat.
16
18
Actually I guess the 16 has the hinge built in the casting and the 18 has a piece riveted to the side of the mast. Which blows cause mine was ripped out when I got it and the repair is holding for now but someday I may have to switch sides on it and fill in the holes.
edited by: Quarath, Aug 13, 2010 - 05:08 PM
Dustin
Magna, UT
Prindle 18