E35 Mast Collar Tie-rods
Date: January 15, 2003
From: Bill Fuller wh_fuller@yahoo.com
I would like to request information on the SS tie rod that connects the deck mounted mast collar to the keel mounted mast step that is found on my Endeavour 35. I recently replaced the mast step support and mast step, but in the process, sheared the 1/2" tie rod at the mast step area as they were corroded together. I am curious of the function of this rod as it ties the mast collar to the mast step. Any information or leads will be most appreciated.
Date: January 15, 2003
From: Aaron White REDPONY64@comcast.net
Hi Bill,
This rod is used for stiffening the deck at this point. Too much flex in this area and you can get serious leaks. If you note, there is also another stiffener near the main hatch, which keeps this area from flexing and causing leaks at the hatch. Hope this helps. Best Regards.
Date: January 15, 2003
From: Russ Smith flightlevel00@earthlink.net
Hi Bill and Paul
I have Endeavour 35 hull #195....and recently had the mast step replaced. While it was in the boat yard I asked what that tie rod was for....they said it was to prevent oil canning in the cabin top...don't know any more about it than that.....But, I have a new crack in the gel coat on my cabin top...looks to me like a stress crack that could have been caused from incorrect tension in that very same tie rod.....does anyone know anything about torque values on the rod?
Date: January 18, 2003
From: Richard Sutton rsutton@optonline.net
Bill;
The mast collar tie rod apparently provides a secure additional connection to prevent the mast from levering the cabin trunk roof off the bulkheads below. The mast step fitting is relatively simple to make from heavy stainless stock, so I would suggest that you make a new(better) one from either corrosion resistant stainless or heavy monel. and re-thread the rod. Good luck.
Date: January 18, 2003
From: Paul Uhl endvr32@endeavourowners.com
My guess is that it should be tightened so as not to pull down the cabin top but rather to hold it in it's current position.
Date: January 18, 2003
From: Richard Sutton rsutton@optonline.net
Paul;
When we rebuilt our mast collar/partners at the deck, we simply tightened the rod to be snug, and water tight, in position. Our rigger siad he didn't believe that it was designed to carry any tension, but rather to serve as a "preventer" for the lever arm of the mast against the deck.
Date: January 19, 2003
From: Jon Richards Endeav35@aol.com
The purpose of the tie rod is to keep the cabin from flexing upward under the stress of the shrouds. The shrouds under tension will pull up and in causing the deck and cabin to flex upward. The tie rod between the step and the mast partners stabilizes this tendency by using the compression of the mast as a counter force. It functions in lieu of a heavy deck or yoke beam on an older design. This was how it was explained to me by my yard manager.
(They should be) Tight enough to provide stability under stress but not so tight as to distort the cabin top. It's there to stabilize the cabin top at the mast partner in lieu of a heavy beam or yoke as in older designs or wood boats.
Date: January 20, 2003
From: Aaron White REDPONY64@comcast.net
Hi Russ,
Glad to hear from you again.
I don't have any tensioning information on the tie rod but being an engineer, here is how I would go about fastening it.
I would bolt it tight at the mast collar and allow it to extend down through the mast step. Then, I would snug up the bolt under the step. Once snug, I would take another complete turn on that nut, then tighten the upper nut at the mast step down tight. The rod itself should not be so tight that it shouldn't deflect slightly. When it does its job, the rod goes under a compressive load. That means, when you step on the deck, the deflection of the deck should press down on the rod and transfer that deflective force through the rod and to the mast step. It doesn't have to be tensioned in order to do this, so just snug would be OK.
About your cracks. Do they entend completely through the cabin top or are they just gel coat cracks? Even with the rod really tight, it would be extremely difficult to crack the cabin top completely through, but anything is possible. The secondary function of the rod is to ensure the collardoesn't deflect so much that it causes leaks at the boot, although waterdoes get down through the mast and into the step area. It is important to keep the step as dry as possible to prevent corrosion and rust. I have twolift out deck plates in this area on my boat and I keep them open as much as possible to keep things dry.
I hope this helps and don't hesitate to contact me with other questions. Best Regards,
