1969 Chris Craft Roamer 46 Refit: Installing the Mast Base

There are four big holes on the cabin top that need to be filled if I’m going to get the boat weather-tight and splashed in October 2022. There’s a big hunk of original Chris Craft bronze that I had rechromed a few years ago that just happens to fit that hole. Time to install the mast base.

Cutting holes in my Whisper Wall headliner always makes me tense

This is a vent cover that attaches to the headliner and ceiling structure above it

Screen will keep bugs out

Nice!

This is one big piece of bronze

I taped off the base at home

It was challenging to get the #14 machine screws lined up

Once in position, I taped around the mast base to make caulk clean-up easier

Showtime

I applied the caulk to seal all the holes that go inside while leaving the drains clear

I applied TefGel to protect the threads…just in case

Good squeeze-out

Use a soft squeegee to remove excess caulk

Next, pull the tape

Pettit T-10 Brushing Thinner works well to remove caulk residue

The caulk instructions said to use mineral spirits for final cleanup. I made the mistake of buying “low odor” mineral spirits. I first tried to use that on the caulk, but (as with every other time I’ve tried to use that junk) it didn’t work. It just smeared the residue. Fortunately, I had a can of Pettit T-10, and that stuff works great on caulk.

Nice!

I hit the chrome with a quick coat of  Collinite Metal Wax and that was a wrap outside.

Fini!

Next up in our 1969 Chris Craft Roamer 46 Refit: Air Conditioning Raw Water Supply