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PS.
Maciej, if you have already glued in place, you will struggle to get it off. The position of the collar shown in your last picture should be OK. But if the glue separates / fails again, I would be moving the collar up slightly so that the top edge (aft) sits about 5 mm or so above the edge of the mast step.
Reply
04/07/2025 07:30:00
RonF 'Delphine'
Posts: 41
Hi again Maciej,
It looks like you measured 245 mm (24.5 cm) INCLUDING the mast plug?
The repair manual shows the measurement WITHOUT the mast plug.
And personally, my own preference when I previously reglued a collar, was more like 300 mm (I didn't have the instructions to look at, this was before I realised I could buy a repair kit, so I cleaned up and reused the old collar etc).
By memory, I temporarily taped the collar on the mast, put the bottom mast section into the step (without the bottom mast plug), checked that top edge of the collar was about level with the top of the mast step, in both fore and aft positions, and then marked the collar position for gluing.
Once glued, inserting the mast plug raises the mast collar about 8 mm.
And for anyone else facing this repair, these are the repair kit instructions:
https://www.rssailingstore.com/files//96c64062-e5a0-446e-887b-ac5900ac9083/Aero%20instructions%20-%20MAST%20COLLAR%20REPAIR%20V2.pdf
And personally, I covered ALL of my mast in a mix of masking tape and newspaper, from bottom to near the top. I ALWAYS wear gloves (multiple peel off layers) when using epoxy, but still manage to get epoxy hand prints in places they don't belong.
Cheers, Ron
Reply
It looks like you measured 245 mm (24.5 cm) INCLUDING the mast plug?
The repair manual shows the measurement WITHOUT the mast plug.
And personally, my own preference when I previously reglued a collar, was more like 300 mm (I didn't have the instructions to look at, this was before I realised I could buy a repair kit, so I cleaned up and reused the old collar etc).
By memory, I temporarily taped the collar on the mast, put the bottom mast section into the step (without the bottom mast plug), checked that top edge of the collar was about level with the top of the mast step, in both fore and aft positions, and then marked the collar position for gluing.
Once glued, inserting the mast plug raises the mast collar about 8 mm.
And for anyone else facing this repair, these are the repair kit instructions:
https://www.rssailingstore.com/files//96c64062-e5a0-446e-887b-ac5900ac9083/Aero%20instructions%20-%20MAST%20COLLAR%20REPAIR%20V2.pdf
And personally, I covered ALL of my mast in a mix of masking tape and newspaper, from bottom to near the top. I ALWAYS wear gloves (multiple peel off layers) when using epoxy, but still manage to get epoxy hand prints in places they don't belong.
Cheers, Ron
Reply
02/07/2025 07:08:00
RonF 'Delphine'
Posts: 41
Hi Ron
The location of the bottom of the mast collar from the bottom of mast should be always 245mm (as I saw in the repair kit manual)? It seems to low for me. Do you have exactly 245 mm ? Regards
Reply
The location of the bottom of the mast collar from the bottom of mast should be always 245mm (as I saw in the repair kit manual)? It seems to low for me. Do you have exactly 245 mm ? Regards
Reply
01/07/2025 15:13:00
Maciej
Posts: 12
Hi Maciej,
It looks like the rearmost top edge (furthest from camera, behind mast in this photo) is just flush with the top of your deck mast step.
I would say this is too low from an amateur engineering guesstimate. This area generates a LOT of force.
Please reach out to your supplier /RS for advice.
Also, I'm not sure if they are still recommending Sikaflex 291 or similar, or e.g.one of the new flexible epoxy (West Gelflex?).
ASK your supplier / RS.
Cheers, Ron
Reply
It looks like the rearmost top edge (furthest from camera, behind mast in this photo) is just flush with the top of your deck mast step.
I would say this is too low from an amateur engineering guesstimate. This area generates a LOT of force.
Please reach out to your supplier /RS for advice.
Also, I'm not sure if they are still recommending Sikaflex 291 or similar, or e.g.one of the new flexible epoxy (West Gelflex?).
ASK your supplier / RS.
Cheers, Ron
Reply
22/06/2025 07:42:00
RonF 'Delphine'
Posts: 41
I placed the bottom of my mast collar 24,5 cm from the bottom of the mast (photo). Is it now correct ?
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21/06/2025 19:01:00
Maciej
Posts: 12
Hi Maciej,
It looks like your collar is or has been completely loose, and is now set/moving too low/high on the mast, and that the collar EDGE is contacting the mast step (I judge this from the wear.marks on your collar).
The collar EDGE should not be wearing at all. Being on the edge, it is not as strong a bearing compared to if your collar was set and fixed at the correct height on the mast. I guess this is why it has chipped.
The sikaflex patch will probably grab instead of allowing the mast to rotate freely, and may cause new problems, or recurring old problem chip and/or damage to your mast step in the boat.
I recommend that you fit a brand new, unchipped, wear free collar, and set the collar at a height where, when you put the mast in the step, the top edge of the collar is about one cm (I think) above the upper bearing surface of your deck.
If you are uncertain, contact your local RS supplier, or reach out to RS UK Head Office.
Cheers, Ron
Reply
It looks like your collar is or has been completely loose, and is now set/moving too low/high on the mast, and that the collar EDGE is contacting the mast step (I judge this from the wear.marks on your collar).
The collar EDGE should not be wearing at all. Being on the edge, it is not as strong a bearing compared to if your collar was set and fixed at the correct height on the mast. I guess this is why it has chipped.
The sikaflex patch will probably grab instead of allowing the mast to rotate freely, and may cause new problems, or recurring old problem chip and/or damage to your mast step in the boat.
I recommend that you fit a brand new, unchipped, wear free collar, and set the collar at a height where, when you put the mast in the step, the top edge of the collar is about one cm (I think) above the upper bearing surface of your deck.
If you are uncertain, contact your local RS supplier, or reach out to RS UK Head Office.
Cheers, Ron
Reply
21/06/2025 10:03:00
RonF 'Delphine'
Posts: 41
Hi,
My mast collar has a small loss (chip). I fill it with sikaflex 291i. Should I replace this collar or it is so small that there is no need to use the repair kit ? Kind regards
Reply
My mast collar has a small loss (chip). I fill it with sikaflex 291i. Should I replace this collar or it is so small that there is no need to use the repair kit ? Kind regards
Reply
20/06/2025 18:07:00
Maciej
Posts: 12
Many people choose to re-glue it - there are several other threads on this forum witj recommendations about that topic. But also many people don't bother gluing, and just keep it free-rotating using the cable tie fix. Both seem fine, gluing is more work!
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18/06/2025 21:12:00
Simon G
Posts: 15
Many thanks ! When I remove the old tape, I saw that my mast collar is loose. May I re-glue it with black Sikaflex 291 ?
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18/06/2025 20:35:00
Maciej
Posts: 12
15/06/2025 19:59:00
Simon G
Posts: 15
15/06/2025 19:50:00
Maciej
Posts: 12
15/06/2025 19:48:00
Maciej
Posts: 12
Tape alone will wear out quickly. Use 1 or 2 plastic cable ties above the collar, closed very tightand the top of the collar rotates smoothly against those. Put some tape around the cable ties to hold them in place.
Tape is fine below the collar to stop it slipping down when you take the mast out. All the pressure is upwards when sailing.
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15/06/2025 18:31:00
Simon G
Posts: 15
Hi,
Do you use any tape or other materials just above and below the mast collar on the lower mast part? The previous owner of my boat used black tape. Is it a good idea?
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Do you use any tape or other materials just above and below the mast collar on the lower mast part? The previous owner of my boat used black tape. Is it a good idea?
Reply
15/06/2025 18:11:00
Maciej
Posts: 12
27/04/2025 21:17:00
Maciej
Posts: 12
I would say: Yes. As long as the underlying glass fiber is not damaged is should be fine. I don´t know your suggested filler, but you should check if this is a gelcoat or a topcoat. A gelcoat only dries out in the absence of air. A topcoat also with air. The distinction in wording became more and more "unsharp" in the last years, so check this before buying. In the worstcase you have to remove it, becaue is remains sticky.
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22/04/2025 08:17:00
neonerl
Posts: 15
Hi
I would like to repair my mast gate in 2327 Rs Aero (photo). What is the best way to do it? The sea line dry fast gelcoat filler would suffice?
Best,
Maciej
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I would like to repair my mast gate in 2327 Rs Aero (photo). What is the best way to do it? The sea line dry fast gelcoat filler would suffice?
Best,
Maciej
Reply
20/04/2025 16:57:00
Maciej
Posts: 12
