inspection hole in base of mast

Previous topic - Next topic

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

woodysca

Looks like I need to cut an inspection hole in the base of the deck stepped mast on my 1986 Catalina 34.
I am asking for guidance from those with more experience.
What size should the hole be?
How far above the deck?
On which face of the mast (fore,aft, port,starboard)?

I've found advice on starting with 4 drill holes, and then cutting between them with a Dremel cutting wheel. This seems logical to me.
The round corners will help prevent stress cracks.

Thanks in advance.
Woody
San Diego

KWKloeber

location/size, kinda depends on why/what you need to inspect, eh? 
More info?
sabre saw works also. 
Also there a reciprocating power saw about the size of a Dremel tool that takes a thin metal blade (very cool man tool.)
I have a B&D battery-powered recip saw that takes a standard saber saw blade.
A roto-zip cutter or a roto-zip cotter in a Dremel chuck also works very neatly, unsure about on aluminum tho?
Twenty years from now you'll be more disappointed by the things you didn't do, than by the ones you did.
So throw off the bowlines.  Sail away from the safe harbor.  Catch the tradewinds in your sails.
Explore.  Dream.  Discover.   -Mark Twain