J/30 Class Association Forums J/30 Forum The Boat, Sails and Equipment Mast step

I would like to move my mast step forward to max headstay length. It appears to be seized. has anyone any ideas on how best to do this

You slack the shrouds and stays so that you can lift up your mast to move it off of the mast butt fitting. The fitting has slots so that it can be moved fore and aft.

The mast is now out of boat.The screws(bolts)
in the step are seized. I`ve used wd40 but it doesn~t seem to do any good ,maybe a penetrating oil is what I should use. Anyone any better ideas?

I just pulled out my step after two years of trying (and much cursing). I was finally able to break it loose using an impact screwdriver (hit with a hammer, turns 20 degrees) followed by a large screwdriver with an offset handle. Good luck!

Thanks for info. I`ll try the impact screw driver along with penetrating oil.

Clive, I used a impack screw driver like steve did. I was able to get the srews out of two out of the four holes that was. On the other two I cut the top of the bolt out using a hack saw blade. Than I use a penatrating oil and a pair of vise grips to remove the other two after I removed the mast butt fitting. Make sure you work the bolt back and forth as you try to loosen them and tap on the top of the screw driver once a a will to help free them up. Before you work out the bolts try to clean out the slotts in the mast butt fitting and use a lot on penatrating oil. I loosen you boltd every year now one at a time and coat them with anti seize. I now use 1/4 20 hex head bolts with fedder washer to hold the fittting in place.

I finally got all 4 bolts out wihh impact driver and pen. oil. The bolts are 2.25 inches long. I`m wondering why they are so long? the longest bolt threaded all the way to with hex head available locally is 1.25 inches.I wonder what length bolts Steve used?
Approximatly how much longer will my headstay be if I move step forward 1/2 inch. It was in middle and my head stay appeared to be around 2 or 3 inches short I can`t recall exact measure.Any info will be appreciated .
Thanks.
Clive

Clive, moving the mast step won't increase the forestay length. It will allow the top of the mast to be raked aft slightly,moving the center of effort aft, increasing weather helm, and possibly improving pointing in light to moderate conditions. It may also reduce headstay sag making, which will make it seem longer. However, if your headstay really is short, you will have to add a toggle where the headstay meets the stem head fitting. The only way to tell for sure is to put a tape measure on the headstay itself.

Bob is right. If your mast step was in an aft position and your headstay was short, as you slide the step forward your headstay (if left unadjusted) will be even less able to span the now greater distance. Make sure your headstay is adjusted to class max. By my calculations 1/2" of forward movement at the step equates to ~3" of additional aft rake at the hounds. If the tuning guide is followed exactly, this in turn will yield 1) A tighter headstay 2) less prebend and 3) a consequently deeper and more powerful main. This will maximize your pointing ability and power the boat up in light air.

Am I right that what should be done is to slide the mast butt foward until the forestay (at max length) is just taught with backstay disconnected and shrouds hand tight? Then crank down on the shrouds until the tuning guides values are reached?