Tanzer 16 Hinged Mast Retrofit -- Part 9 King Post Placement

Tanzer 16 Hinged Mast Retrofit -- Part 9 King Post Placement -- October 3, 2014.  Reattached the hinges to the kingpost with appropriate screws -- it was time to put the kingpost into its position on the mast step. The approach was to raise and lower the trailer tongue until the keelson was level. Since I was working alone, this was a lot of in and out of the boat--move the block under the tongue--get back in the boat--check level--adjust the tongue again...back in the boat check the level--you get the picture.  It took about 12 cycles, but finally the boat was level.

Reminder--you are seeing this as I build it.  I haven't finished yet.  There will undoubtedly be mistakes made along the way.

This is the level used to determine the horizontal level of the keelson an

plumb of the king post.  In this picture, the plug has been attached to the

mast step top plate.  See the outline drawn on wood.  Counter sunk 

1/4 SS machine screws with lock nuts held it tight. 

Once the keelson was level in the horizontal plane, I adjusted the placement of the kingpost (using the level) until it was vertical.  That's as close as I can get without the boat in the water.  That position was marked on the mast step plate by tracing around the kingpost.  The plug was bolted into position.  The plate was reinstalled and the kingpost was installed.  There was enough room to put two #10 SS 3/4 sheet metal screws through the kingpost and into the plug.

King post in final position, mast step plate reinstalled.

This is more rigid than the mast ever was when it was

just rattling around in its slot.

This is as close as the kingpost can be located until the boat is in the water and correctly loaded.

Next steps:  Add two fairleads to the deck and rig the new mast with standing rigging, halyards and topping lift.