I cut out a larger opening in the floor to work on the mast step, I didn't see how to do it otherwise. The access to that forward bolt is not easy, trying to grind down there will be quite the challenge if I have to get into it and no way is my new mast coming out. On the good side I bet you could remove that forward bolt and the keel would stay on just fine.
Joe Della Barba Coquina C&C 35 MK I Kent Island MD USA -----Original Message----- From: Neil Gallagher via CnC-List <cnc-list@cnc-list.com> Sent: Tuesday, October 25, 2022 4:00 PM To: steven.hickel--- via CnC-List <cnc-list@cnc-list.com> Cc: Neil Gallagher <njgallag...@optonline.net> Subject: Stus-List Re: Blocks under forward most keel bolt material? Steven, I did leave the old wood in there. Was a decision I had to make and wasn't sure what was the best approach, but yes, I enclosed it with the pieces I installed. I thought the fiberglass would be strong enough. I didn't have a backing plate on the bolt, just the washer, but after I had the crunching of the wood I put one in temporarily, maybe that's was done on your boat also? I just happened to do both the mast step and the bolt at the same time, I think you could do them separately but access to the bolt was probably a lot easier with the mast step removed. I had my mast pulled to replace the step, but I've heard suggestions that you could just raise it up and block it from the deck, though I don't think I'd be comfortable doing that for any length of time. Getting the wood of the step out was easy, a Sawzall did the trick. Getting something in was a lot more complicated as you cannot fit a wide enough board through the opening in the cabin sole. I used a fiberglass cloth layup on a form across the bilge sump so I could get the cloth into the space, I think I used 27 layers in one rather long layup. I'd be happy to go into more detail if you want to contact me offline. Neil Gallagher Weatherly, 35-1 Glen Cove NY
