LOCATION SCORPIO's RENOVATION 2011-12
A Summary, page 2 of 4
Navigate the 2011-12 Renovation Pages 
Mast and rigging maintenance and improvements
1. New teak decks and deck furniture (previous page)
2. Mast and rig maintenance and improvements (this page)
3. Canvas galore (next page)
4. Miscellaneous improvements and additions (last page)
Here is a link to the first part of the renovation in 2010-11
Since we had decided to have the teak decks replaced we decided that it would be a good idea to pull out the masts for service. Before any work was done we ordered a complete pre-survey of the rigging by David Samuelson of Precision Shipwright Services Co. Ltd.
The rig survey recommended inspection of the chainplates where they pass through the deck; the area where most failures occur. However, I decided to remove all chainplates from the yacht for inspection and cleaning. The stainless chainplates had been painted, but I decided it would be better to have them polished shiny, which would make it easier to keep them clean and to inspect them in the future. Taking out the chain plates was a big job, particularly as we had to cut out pieces of the interior, which less than a year earlier had been sanded and beautyfully revarnished. On the other hand, we now have easily accessible inspection holes. And, the result doesn't look bad at all.
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| Inspection hole opened in saloon and polished chainplate reinstalled |
Inspection hole opened in aft cabin and polished chainplate reinstalled |
After, in saloon: a new access and inspection hole in the saloon, port side |
The polished chain plates can now be inspected in just minutes. The chainplates were found to be in good condition, so in a way one could argue that the whole project was unnecassary. On the other hand, better safe than sorry, and also, as I knew we were going to sell the yacht in the near future, it is nice to be able to assure a new owner that the chain plates are immaculate and, hereafter, easy to inspect any time.
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Masts and corrosion in general
The masts showed several spots affected by corrosion. They were all taken care of. All 7 winches on the masts and 4 in the cockpit were removed, 4 of them replaced with new and the rest serviced and rechromed, excluding the head sail winches, which were just serviced. All stays and shrouds on the mizzen as well as the head stay were replaced and the terminals on the rest of them were opened and inspected. All sheaves at the mast heads and in the headsail turning blocks were taken out and serviced and bushings replaced as needed. All wooden cleats, about two dozen of them were replaced. The list goes on, but this is just a summary; the details can be found in the survey reports.
Below are some examples:
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| All wooden cleats were replaced The winch in the photo was replaced |
The areas under the cleats (above) were repaired (see below) |
All winches were taken off, and 4 were replaced. Below: the area marked by masking tape was painted with Awlgrip |
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| The rope coil on the mizzen was removed and the mast repaired |
The spot shown on the photo to the left is here under repair |
This is what it looks like today |
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| The mast step was epoxy painted for corrosion resistance |
We installed a drain at the mast shoe. This is showing it in profile. |
Rain water is directed to the bildge. This image is showing the down side. |
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| Mast head sheaves are out | Turning block sheaves are out | Sheaves to be serviced or replaced |
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| Replacing sheaves .. | ... on main sheet track | Norseman terminals were opened and inspected, - cones replaced |
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Far left: An old spreader light Close left: New spreader light |
Bronze turnbuckles and stainless connecting plates |
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Before the renovation we had mast steps on the main mast, but they only reached to the spreaders, and their main purpose is make eye-ball navigation easier. I thought it would be a good idea to have steps all the way to the mast head incase there would be a need to get up there for service of lights, antennas, snubbed halyards etc (there are frequently such needs, I can assure) and therefore we installed folding steps.
Photos below, first row: Fixed steps below spreaders, folding steps above.
The folding steps are cast aluminium for less corrosion with the mast.
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The surveys: The whole renovation project was overseen by independent professional surveyors; B.G. Marine for the complete yacht and David Samuelson for the rigging in particular. They presented us with their survey reports when all was finished. The conclusion of the surveys are: The condition of this yacht is exceptional! |
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