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Home >> Technical >> Collar at Base of Mast
Thanks Jnr for the additional advice.  
I've also had emails from Anna, and from Tom in Australia, so all on track, can't fault the customer service, thank you to everyone.
Cheers,
Ron



Reply
14/11/2017 02:57:00
RonF 'Delphine'
Posts: 28
Hi RonF
 
 
Flying Sika is problematic for us so  just buy: http://www.rssailingstore.com/Catalogue/Other-Parts/A/Addtional/RS-Aero-Mast-Collar-AER-SP-901
Use 291 again if you can. The latest spec mast collar has internal ribs that increase the surface area. Secondly heavily abrade the bonding surfaces with 80 grit.
 
Hope that helps
 
Please ask questions direct to [email protected]
 
Kind regards 
 
Jnr 



Reply
13/11/2017 10:37:00
Posts: 0
My advice is give RS a call so they can diagnose your particular problem. I had what sounds like the same issue and was sent a new collar to fit which seems to be working well (and it has had some heavy wind use).


Reply
10/11/2017 16:42:00
David-at-BroadwaterSC
Posts: 42
Hi everyone, what's the current advice to fix a loose mast collar.  Mine has come loose again, and rotates freely around the mast.  I was advised to use Sikaflex 291 Marine Adhesive Sealant, but it came loose again after 1 session of zephyr light air sailing.  I also asked Andrew Giles (AUS 1194) about this, he has had several goes at fixing his without success.
  And yes, I cleaned everything before hand, keyed with a light sandpaper, cleaned again with acetone, slid the collar up and down to work the Sikaflex into the joint (after masking tape on the rest of the mast), repacked the Sikaflex into the joint again, smoothed off and then let the whole thing cure for a week
(I didn't try heating with a hot air gun, or soaking in water (moisture required for curing?)).
  My boat is AUS 1189, one of the first in Australia so presumably part of the first production run.  I see the previous post in March 2017:
  • "RS have changed the design of the collar to give greater area for the adhesive to contact the collar, I can't recall whether there has been a material & adhesive change as well."
 but I have not seen any further response on this.  Is RS supplying replacement collars?
  Part of the problem might be somewhat alleviated by the new mast step retrofit design, but I'd like to get the mast collar fixed properly too.
Thanks in advance,
Cheers, Ron F 'Kelpie' 1189



Reply
09/11/2017 22:29:00
RonF 'Delphine'
Posts: 28
On my boat 1141 I've had a couple of problems with the mast collar:-
 
Collar wearing gelcoat in the step tube.
 
Collar coming loose on the mast.
 
In conversation with RS Aftersales, Junior:-
 
RS have changed the design of the collar to give greater area for the adhesive to contact the collar, I can't recall whether there has been a material & adhesive change as well.  I have seen on another boat the collar come loose and rise up to sit at deck level while sailing; the step tube throat was completely stripped of gelcoat and the laminate cracked in one day's sailing in moderate wind.  On that experience if it happens it is a very good idea to contact RS.  For me they were very responsive in not just changing the failed 7 collar, but also in checking out & changing where necessary my other two rigs as well; 9 changed, 5 later build standard from new.
 
Collar & gelcoat wear seems to stem from a property of the collar to become plastic under pressure and start to stick to the gelcoat.  The gelcoat and collar wear, and the excess friction can also cause the collar to mast adhesive to fail.  As well as the collar change above newer builds have been fitted with the Deck Ring, item 12 in the parts list.  Accommodating the Deck Ring requires the step tube mould be changed, so cannot be retro-fitted.  Hence the retro-fit, Item 13 in parts list, coming soon.  This has only been added to the parts list in the last month I believe.  Which, when it can finally be ordered, will be great for the re-sale value of older boats; as the only other option available was to part-exchange for a new boat.  
 
I have used 250uM PTFE Friction tape on my collars, which certainly alleviated the step tube wear, though it couldn't contain the 7 collar's bid for freedom, adhesive fail.



Reply
23/03/2017 00:05:04
Jonathan Rickels
Posts: 104
 
See RS selling both a "RS Aero Deck Ring" and a "Retrofit Ring". My Aero doesn't have one to start with but this looks a much better solution than the collar.
 
Probably a stupid question, but do I have to wait for the "Retrofit Ring" to become available or will the "RS Aero Deck Ring" do the trick. If I do have to wait how long is that likely to be?



Reply
22/03/2017 21:32:34
Johnrfyc
Posts: 15
Hi All
 
If anyone has a similar problem to this I recommend you contact your local dealer who will be very happy to help resolve the issue. If this is problematic for you please contact myself [email protected]
 
Best regards
 
Junior 



Reply
14/09/2015 14:31:30
Posts: 0
It's probably worth a try, but I'm not sure it would be strong enough, unless they make some really beefy cable ties. I first tried a thick wrap of duct tape above the collar, but the collar rose right through it in a Force 5/6.


Reply
13/09/2015 01:11:24
david
Posts: 64
Would a cable tie work?


Reply
12/09/2015 16:11:20
haimark
Posts: 41
Yes, I assume that if RS were to make one, it would be black plastic, maybe a two-part clamp.


Reply
12/09/2015 14:20:20
david
Posts: 64
How about a plastic one?
 



Reply
12/09/2015 14:14:31
Chunky
Posts: 136
Yes, but I doubt they will do that for everyone who has the problem. I just noticed that hose clamps are also made in stainless steel, so it's potentially a permanent fix. Alternatively, RS could make a custom part to do the same thing. Probably a lot cheaper than replacing many lower mast sections.


Reply
12/09/2015 14:10:20
david
Posts: 64
RS supplied me with a new lower mast section when this happened within a month of purchase. 


Reply
12/09/2015 13:54:49
mikegreenleaves
Posts: 10
The plastic collar at the base of the mast, which acts to prevent chafing and to keep the mast firm in the step, has come loose. Once it does, it slowly rises until it's out of the step, and then the mast starts rattling around and making unsettling noises. Evidently it's a common problem, and RS has provided a replacement adhesive. But it's not easy to get the collar off, and reapply adhesive in a way that it won't happen again. So here's an easy fix: a hose clamp attached just above the collar. Even if it eventually corrodes, at $2 it's cheap to repeat. Works like a charm.


Reply
12/09/2015 03:09:25
david
Posts: 64


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