LM 28 Mast Step Failure

[chrismunson]

Someone on the LM Klub Facebook posted a notice with photographs of a LM28 failed mast step. This was discovered when the rigging went slack and the mast settled. This may be something you want to look into. Below is the Facebook link, I have no idea if this link will work. If you have experienced this problem please let us know your solution.



www.facebook.com/groups/579994708771153/permalink/4339685106135409/

[johnc]

Hi Chris I have the issue with the mast step on my LM28. From what I can see the fibreglass mast step has a solid core and the core is in touch with the hull. There is a 1 inch hole which has been drilled in the mast step which has weakened the structure. A friend has an LM28 with same problem. He jacked up the deck ànd fitted a 10 mm stainless pad to compensate for the drop in the mast support. I would like to look at alternatives but I found the link you posted only takes me to LM Klubin welcome page. I wonder if you can recall the solution posted there.

[jandane]

Hi johnc
I just happened to find your post. I was the one repairing the mast step on my LM 28. The stainless steel plate is only a temporary fix. If you need advice or/and pictures, you are welcome to contact me either in this forum or via my mail: [e-mail]

[johnc]

Hi Jandane, my apologies for not getting back to you as I have just seen your post. Thank you for offering your advice as I was not happy with my friends solution. I would prefer to cut a large section of the existing support away and glass in an iroko hardwood beam profiled to the hull but I am concerned about the hull distorting when I cut away the existing support. This raises the question of whether to do the repair with the boat in the water or lifted out. My inclination is to do it afloat and use infra red lamps to keep the hull at 20 C, also wonder if I should use Epoxy rather than Polyester. I will contact you by email with some pictures as I have problems posting pics here as system will not accept resized ones.

[jandane]

John, I sent you a private mail with all the pictures you need. Do it while in water, in autumn when water is warm, without mast on and use epoxy/solid teak or alike and wowen glass fibre matts. Takes a while but no rocket science. Good luck