Mast to Keel

The next job is to fit the assembled seat frame and keel to the mast. What's not included here is the fitting of the seat telescopics. The right hand one requires you to file the sides of a 3/8" spanner to get access between the bracket sides to tighten it up. This is clearly mentioned in the text, but is still a little fiddly!

These two pictures show the upper seat frame to mast channel fitting. Remember to keep the two long narrow webbing straps of the seat between the channel fixings.

From the side. You can just see the amount of thread protruding. Remember to include the spaces within the plastic R clamps.

And this is the lower mast to keel plate fixing. Note that the two rear engine plate supports also fix to the same bolt. The joint MUST be free to rotate for derigging so don't over tighten. I keep harping on about not over tightening and this is very important. I have a habit of doing just this as generally with other things I have done it is the tighter the better!

Note that the engine support on the left, (upper one in this picture), has a bracket on the end. Also note which way around the mast goes.

Don't forget the prop tape on the lower part of the mast to the rear to protect against the tank rubbing it.