Very close to what I had in mind. My mast track is flat. This track stop, http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/producte/10001/-1/10001/1763/377%20710/0/sailstop/Primary%20Search/mode%20matchallpartial/0/0?N=377%20710&Ne=0&Ntt=sailstop&Ntk=Primary%20Search&Ntx=mode%20matchallpartial&Nao=0&Ns=0&keyword=sailstop&isLTokenURL=true&storeNum=2&subdeptNum=175&classNum=272 is what gave me the idea. The screw in the 1/8 x 3/4 flat stop is slightly larger than the hole in the compass bracket.
The easiest solution would be to enlarge two of the three holes in the compass bracket and use the knurled wheels of the track stop to hold it tight to the mast. Unfortunately the track stop's screw is too short. Thus, my solution is to take a 3" long by 3/4" wide by 1/8" thick piece of metal, drill three holes in it for 1.25" flat-head (tapered) screws, and use the nuts to compress the bracket to the mast. The screws would look like they are protruding from the mast, prior to attaching the compass bracket. I need 3" of metal because that just happens to be the height of the bracket and slightly smaller than my mast gate. I have the prototype nearly finished, but now I'm thinking of the potential rust issue. I'll try to post some pictures of it tonight or tomorrow. Bob Mann -------------- Original message -------------- From: Chris Maddox <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> I think Ralph is on to something here (we've all suspected that he's ON something, this is only slightly different). You don't need something that fits the track real nicely, only something that can be inserted into it. With a tapped machine screw hole in it and an appropriately-short machine screw, you can basically mount the compass on a bar that rides on the outside of the sail track with holes above/below and slugs in the track (with the tapped holes) that screws go into (just like a sail stop). This way it gets tightened up snug on the track, you can adjust the height to whatever you need, and you aren't drilling any holes in the mast. In this case, small 'squares' of aluminum bar will do the trick. You will need a tap and some bacon grease as well. The bacon grease is for tapping the hole, OK? Chris -----Original Message----- From: "Ralph E. Ahseln" Sent: Jul 6, 2007 2:55 PM To: [email protected] Subject: Re: catalina27-talk: mast track insert Bob, Perhaps a Sail Stop Slug ? See: https://www.mariner-sails.com/partdetail.asp?id=24878 Used as a "platform" for a mounting strip ? Also, Many hardware shops carry Anodized Aluminum rod. And.. Fishing rod blanks of Carbon Fiber may work for you. Maybe a call or email to On Line Metals... See: http://www.onlinemetals.com/ My question is ... How are you planning to mount this ? Just curious. UW Ralph Ahseln ----- Original Message ----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: [email protected] Sent: Friday, July 06, 2007 11:29 AM Subject: catalina27-talk: mast track insert Does anyone know where I can get some aluminum or stainless that will fit into the mast track on my '85? I can cut it to the correct length but the width and thickness needs to match. I bought a digital compass and it uses velcro to attach to the mast. I would like to make a 3" long bracket that will slide in the mast track. I would screw it into the track to hold it in place. I made a prototype out of a metal bar from Lowes but that will rust. I could paint it but I have concerns that the paint will scrape off when I slide it down the mast track and it will rust. Thoughts? Bob Mann
