Mast step loose

Can anyone give me a "how to" for a loose mast step?
Our mast step (with the mast up) is separated from the front cross member about 1/8th inch? Which is strange to me because I would think the weight of the mast would force the mast step down onto the front cross member.

How should I fix this? (lower the mast,drill out the rivets and re-revit?)
What is pushing the mast step up above the front cross member?
What could have caused this?

Thanks,
Scott

I have a pic but do not know how to post

I suggest you do a search. There are a lot of discussions on the topic as this is a common issue.

The mast step is pushed up by the tension on the dolphin striker rod. Over time, the cyclical loading on the mast step causes the rivets to loosen, allowing the mast step to separate from the crossbar. The mast step rivets may also be hung up inside the holes on the front crossbar holding it up.

The best way to re-attach the step is by first loosening the nuts on the end of the crossbar in order to take the tension off of the striker rod. If you sail in salt water, this may be a problem since the striker rod is likely frozen in the corner castings. As an alternate, you can use a scissor jack between the striker rod and the crossbar to (carefully) push the step down. Then drill out the four mast step rivets and re-rivet using stainless steel rivets. If the holes are really worn, you may need to bump up to 1/4" diameter rivets, or add washers to the inside of the crossbar as a backing for the rivets. This is pretty involved, however, since it requires disassembly of the crossbar.

sm

as stated, the easiest way is to lower the mast, release the tension on the dolphin striker, drill out the old rivets, put in new. If you find the holes have become enlarged you can do one of 2 things.... use a rivet cap (hobie uses them on the mast to help for a water tight seal... ) or go to larger rivets. Just be careful when you tighten up the dolphin striker again you do it evenly from both sides so the tension is equal.

_________________
Paul Evenden
NRO, RMMCC, CJ