26X Mast Support Roller

[spudz72]

I did a search but could not find anything relating to my dilemma.

I have a 96 26X and for the first time had a friend help me raise the mast on my 26x and what I notice was the biggest challenge was getting the mast slid back on the mast support from the front trailering bolt to where it bolts to the top of the center of the boat. The other person had to lift and slide the mast by hand. This is because the rubber roller that is on my mast support is pretty much useless. All it is, is a rubber roller and a bolt and locking nut. When the bolt it tightened the edges of the roller rub on the sides of the stainless opening so it does not roll well at all.

If this roller rolled properly I'm pretty sure I could slide the mast forward on the support all by myself with no help, but as it is it's impossible. I was thinking if I modified the rubber roller to have a metal sleeve and 2 bearings installed on each side and some washers I could make this thing roll a heck of a lot better then it does now.

I'm assuming my setup is factory stock for a 96x. A photo is below showing what my mast support roller looks like.

Any comments would be appreciated...

[Chinook]

The mast support roller is a little different on my 2002 X. It inserts into a hole in the pedestal. However, the roller looks pretty similar, and has worked fine for me. I'm wondering if the nut is too tight. If it were loosened a bit, the roller should turn reasonably well on the bolt.

[waltpm]

My 97 is the same and I don't tighten the nut. It still does not roll worth ***. I agree it is the only part of raising the mast that I do not want to do by myself. I should have modified it long ago, maybe your comment will get me going.

[Newell]

Hi,

I have a 96X and I think your problem is a combination of the roller being too tight and the dog-leg mast crutch rotating aft when you push the mast aft, thereby binding up the roller. Best fix is upgrade from the dog-leg crutch to a straight pole crutch placed in front of the pedestal. I had a fabricating shop make support brackets attached to my pedestal table to hold the new crutch. I made the old dog leg pipe into solar lamp holder. It charges the lamp by day and I put the lamp on the cockpit floor for a night light.

Newell
Fast Sunday 96X

[Duane Dunn, Allegro]

The side mount ones on the early X boats were a pain to use. I found mine worked best if I had my wife press forward on it to keep it in line while I rolled the mast back. If you don't do this, even with a bolt loose enough for the roller to spin, the whole assembly will pivot aft and bind on the mast.

I also found mine sagged alot. I added a removable brace on the port side for trailering.


I've since deep sixed the whole thing and mounted the same rubber roller on the new aluminum arch I built. This works great, rolling easily both ways.

[K9Kampers]

Dog-leg crutch...I was wondering why the bottom pole shot of to the side in Spudz's pic. Thanks for explaining guys. It seems this dog-leg crutch design would be under constant strain while trailering, unless additional support / bracing is addeda as Dunn has done. Is there a notable failure rate for this apparatus? Are these early model year helms similar to such as an '01 that a straight leg crutch can added to it?

[2BonC]

It has allmost been impossile for me to move my mast single handed because I allways leave the forestay with rollerfurler and sail and the shrouts attached to the mast. The pole carriing the mast roller was bent do to the heavy weight of the mast and the friction of the roller itself. To overcome this I secured the roller fork with two ropes left and right to the stern or to the winches opposite to the pushing or pulling force. Also the furler/sail assembly has to be attached ballanced and very tight to the mast otherwise it was allmost impossible to get the bolt inserted when the mast was in place.
Still an unexpected situation can occur if the mast is moved until the postion were it gets more weight at the top part and has to be pressed downward toward the cabin while some ropes or shrouts are interfering with other parts of the boat .

[Kelly Hanson East]

The mast isnt that heavy (even with the RF genny) - if you stand at mid mast and take some of the weight off the roller (and loosen those bolts) it will roll with no problem (2002 ). I usually have more problems hanging up a halyard or a shroud on the tangs.

[Don T]

Hello,
My 95 mac did not come with a nylon insert inside the roller. Take the roller off and buy a sleeve and some washers to space out and reduce the friction of the roller, works great after. I too made an additional support for the crutch.

[R Rae]

I think this might be a case where a 'rattling good fit' might work.

I would try reducing the 3/8 dia bolt to 5/16 or even 1/4". After all there is never any real stress going on back there. Also I'd open up the prongs a bit to give slop in every direction possible.

[tlperrine]

I have a 95 X and didn't like how much room was between pulpit and stern mast support. I built something out of 4X4 pine with a carpet "V" to hold the mast in place near the deck plate. It doesn't bounce as much and takes pressure off of the mast. Not a hard mod to do. If anyone wants pics I can post if there is interest.

Terry