How to Set Mast Base Position

[Vento Solare]

I just set the mast base position on Vento Solare and wanted to let people know how to do it. It isn't rocket science and can be done with the rig up. I did this while on the hard, but there is no reason why this can't be done in the water.

Tools needed:

• Phillips Head screwdriver
• 9/16" wrench
• Hammer
• Paint scraper or putty knife
• Small sledge hammer with 15" handle
• Scrap piece of lumber such as 2"x4"x2 feet that will be hit with sledge hammer to move mast base shoe
• Measuring tape (Metric in mm, or use a calculator and convert measurements)
• Measurement template (cut a scrap piece of lumber to the desired measurement distance - most tuning guides use 460mm)

Procedure:

1. Loosen the rig by backing off each shroud 10 full turns
2. Remove the two triangular blocks on the cabin sole in the forward corners port & stbd side (two screws each piece)
3. Remove the trim piece at the base of the bulkhead (4 screws)
4. Use paint scraper and hammer to carefully break bead on trim piece around mast on cabin sole, and the other trim piece on table around mast.
5. Unscrew 5 screws from the cabin sole that holds the forward L-bracket fixing the table to deck
6. Unscrew 5 screws from the table leg that holds the aft L-bracket fixing the table to deck
7. Slide the trim piece forward that holds the forward end of the table to "unlock" it from the mast
8. Lift and slide the table aft to remove
9. Remove 2 screws that hold the cabin sole piece aft of the mast, and remove the cabin sole piece
10. Remove 2 screws that hold the cabin sole piece forward of the mast, and remove the cabin sole piece
    The Mast shoe is now exposed and 4 hex bolts should be visible
11. If the mast base needs to slide aft, make sure the backstay is loose. If the mast base needs to slide forward, put on maximum backstay.
12. Use the 9/16" wrench to loosen the four hex bolts on the mast shoe. Just back them off enough so you can turn the washers, indicating that the pressure is off the shoe.
13. Position the precut measurement template between the bulkhead and the mast
14. Use the scrap lumber and the sledge hammer to move the mast shoe. Put the lumber on the mast shoe and hit it with the force like you are trying to sink a put. It doesn't require much force to move the mast base. The distance will be set when the template is against the mast face and bulkhead. In some cases, you may not be able to get the mast far enough in the desired direction if the shoe is against the 4 stop bolts. Either live with it, or plan a major effort remove the rig, drill and tap the base.
15. Once the mast is in the desired position, use the 9/16" wrench and tighten the four hex bolts on the shoe.
16. Replace the forward and aft cabin sole removed and screw in place (2 screws each piece)
17. Replace the trim piece at the base of the forward bulkhead (4 screws) and the two triangular trim pieces on the cabin sole (2 screws each)
18. Lift table and slide into position around mast. Position L-Brackets so they align with holes on table leg and cabin sole. Screw table in position (10 screws)
19. Replace the trim pieces around the mast. I used Velcro dots for the top trim pieces and a few dabs of clear silicone caulk for the lower trim piece to hold the trim in position
20. Adjust the rig tension as desired. You should set the headstay to the desired length first.

Here are some pictures of the various stages.

This is the mast position on Vento Solare before any adjustments. The actual measured distance is 478mm with the desired 460mm (note wooden template is 460mm long).


This is mast base position with it all the way forward. Actual distance is 466mm (6mm short of target 460mm) and unless the holes are re-drilled, the mast shoe will not slide any further forward.


The floorboards installed with the trim pieces off. The gap at the aft end is barely covered by the trim piece.

[breeves]

no need to loosen wire fitting from underside of coach roof to interior front of mast hill doing this?

[Vento Solare]

No need to loosen the tie down for the mast collar. What I found was when the rig was loosened, it caused the tie down to go slack. I checked it after moving and it was still loose. When I tighten the rig in the spring, I'll make sure the tie down is tensioned properly too.