MacGregorSailors.com

Hey guys, I need a new nut & bolt for the mast raising kit, and also for my baby stays (just the short bolt). Does anyone know if Home Depot or Lowes carries these?

Thanks!

Steve

Sure, you can buy ss hardware at a hardware store, but it won't be marine grade. As any purist will tell you, you want 304SS, not 316SS, especially in a salt water application .

You've got it backwards.

316SS is more corrosion resistant than 304SS. However, 304SS fasteners are rare; most are 18-8, which is equivalent to 304SS in corrosion resistance. 316 fasteners, if you can find them, will run 50% to 100 percent higher in price than 18-8.

I believe 100% of the stock hardware and fasteners on the Mac is 304 and 18-8, not 316. Buying 316 fasteners (if you can find them) is IMO a waste of money.

"Marine Grade" is not defined, except when it comes to price. The fasteners sold at West Marine are "marine grade" by definition (since West Marine sells them). They are 18-8, not 316, but they still carry the premium marine grade prices. You will not find the actual material listed on SS fasteners sold at Home Depot, but they are about 99% certain to be the same 18-8 sold at West Marine, without the marine grade prices. And BTW, both are quite likely to be made in China.

The advantage to shopping at West Marine is that their selection, in both type and size, is superior to what you will find at Home Depot. It's convenient for me that Home Depot and West Marine are in the same shopping center. If HD has it, I buy it there. If not, on to WM.

Another alternative, if you have it available, is to buy fasteners in bulk from an industrial supply house, like McMaster Carr or MSC. Most of these will not deal with individuals, but I buy mine through work. The minimum quantity is usually 100 pieces, but if I need more than a few pieces in common sizes that I know I'll need again, it's worthwhile because even with shipping the savings is huge.

My advice to anyone is always this...there really isn't a lot from HD you can use on your boat and what little you can isn't worth the trip down there looking. You're not talking about saving much. But on the other hand I have the same complaint about the over inflated WM prices. It's best to buy good stuff in bulk and before long you'll have lots of choices in the tool box. If I do need one of these or two of those, I just walk across the street to WM and pay double what it's worth.

But I also realize not everyone has a WM across the street. Some don't have one across the county. Considering it's only a couple things for raising and lower the mast and not some critical permenant installation, then do what's easiest. I really don't think it's going to matter what the grade is for the mast raising kit and baby stays.

Ok, so Home Depot does have them, is that confirmed (ie. someone has actually bought these particular bolts there)?

Another question, do you guys leave your baby stays connected after your mast is up? I think they have to be disconnected don't they in order to raise and lower the mast? Or maybe that's just when you slide the mast fore to connect it the front rail?

Thanks again, I really appreciate all the insight I receive from everyone here!

Steve

I was in our local Home Depot less than an hour ago amd I saw no large fasteners; nothing above 1/4". I went across the parking lot to WM and paid n $.80/each for four 5/16 x 1 1/2 hex head bolts. At MSC they are $.21/ea in 18-8SS, quantity 100; $.31/ea in 316SS, qty 100 , but I'll probably not have much use for these in the future.

In four years, perhaps 50-60 mast raisings, I have not once disconnected the baby stays for any reason. You have to step around them occasionally, but I don't find them obtrusive.

Another alternative, if you have it available, is to buy fasteners in bulk from an industrial supply house, like McMaster Carr or MSC. Most of these will not deal with individuals, but I buy mine through work. The minimum quantity is usually 100 pieces, but if I need more than a few pieces in common sizes that I know I'll need again, it's worthwhile because even with shipping the savings is huge.

Heres a trick for your yacht club - get everyone to pony up some money for a kitty and order up a bunch of hardware in bulk for your club. Charge a fixed cost per piece to keep a kitty going to restock as needed. If people in the YC arent pr***cks it works out.

Wilson Yacht Club on Ontario is where I first saw this done.r

Thanks Chip, believe it or not we do have a WM here in Nashville, I'll skip HD or Lowes and just pony up for the extra cost. Not that much anyway.

Don't think we have enough Mac owners here to pony up for a bulk buy Catigale, great idea though.

Thanks again!

Steve

Steve, I just buy the expensive SS hardware at True Value. I don't know any better. Looks like the stuff that came with the boat.

Baby stays? You've been drinking again! Naturally they're up for lowering and raising the mast. Otherwise the mast will swing out sideways and bash a poor Kia flat.

You can take them off if you're sailing to Portugal, but if you plan to trailer out in a few days, most guys leave them on. They do foul the jib sheet and I've had to slip plastic tubes over the bottom of the stays (to keep them from bouncing on the windows, etc. while trailering) and wind a little tape around the very bottom.

Good idea John, I'll get some tape and clear hose ASAP, thanks.

Steve

P.S. Sleeping on the Mac tonight, just had a small nip of some coconut rum and a hot cup of Orange Cappuccino whilst Letterman plays on the little b&w TV. Ok, better go...Zzzzz

Hey John! How 'bout a nip 'o Rum & some capchino?

Or more realistically for a Friday night & considering your concern for a shiny spot on that mast ... How 'bout three fingers o' Glenmorangie?

Glenmorangie? Man, I can't even pronounce it, but I'll give it a try.

Black and white TV? What? Battery powered with rabbit ears?

It's the clear hose with the one inch inside diameter. I just put mine on. Had PVC before. This stuff will probably get all gooked up and look like hull. I used four foot sections on the shrouds to keep them from chaffing the deck while trailering. Also keeps the adjusters from getting kinked, and you can see through to confirm.

Steve,
check to see if you have an industrial store in your area. Have have a place called "budget Bolt". It is an industrial fastner candy store. They have every SS (304) ftting that I have ever seen and some I can't imagine what for! Prices are at least 1/2 of WM and they will sell one item or 50,000.


How was the sleep over last night?


Rich

Rich,

Sleepover was so good I'm doing it again tonight. Have Star Wars episode II for after my web surfing. Thanks for asking!

I'll ck. WM to see if they have them, overpriced of course, but for a few nuts and bolts it's probably worth the convenience.

Steve

Lowes has an excellent supply of SS fasteners (including the larger bolts) in their marine specialty drawers of their fastener section. THey also have other items there like the white hole cover plugs.

Home depot as I recall had a smaller selection in the little plastic bags. I found that these fasteners seem weak to me. I've broken quite a few of them just under the heads. Seemed like they were cast or something. Maybe its just me.