mounting a winch

[brm3]

aloha all,
I'm mounting a winch about a size 22 on a new ol mast and have casted a fiberglass epoxy base. My question is "Should I mount the base to the mast first or just go straight through and tap the mast section. I have some meat here about 3/16 thick. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks
brm3

[Jim Fulton]

The mounting bolts for your winch will have to be perpendicular to the mounting surface of the winch. The mounting bolts for the winch base should be perpendicular to the surface of the mast. If the surface of the mast is flat (i.e., if the mast has a rectangular section), then the bolts that hold the winch could go through the winch base and into the mast. However, if the mast has a curved section, then the mounting bolts for the winch base will have to be angled in order to be perpendicular to the mast surface.

[brm3]

Thanks a bunch. I can make that happen.

[Brion Toss]

Hi,
I mount winch bolts with regard to the mast wall only when the base is configured for that. Selden's, for instance, that are made of thin, formed material, customized for specific masts. But many -- or most -- bases are solid, and though the base may be radiused on its bearing surface to fit the mast, the bolts go straight in.
Fair leads,
Brion Toss

[oddjobbob]

As I recall when I mounted the winches on my masts when I rigged my ketch in 2006 I had flat pads (bases) on oval masts. The winches "sat" flat on the bases and I drilled and tapped straight into the pads. If you don't make the holes perpendicular to the winch base the flat head screws you use won't seat into their "detent." (I know there is a better word for what I am calling detent, just can't think of it now.) If those flat headed screws don't seat flat as they are supposed to do they may interfere with the winch spinning. It sounds like your bases are cast so you have a flat pad for the winch to sit on. Drill the holes perpendicular to the pad, not the mast, unless by mast you mean the pad. And drill them all the way through the mast. When I sized the screw length I used an allen wrench that I had cut off so the "L" shape was very short. I slipped it into the hole to measure the minimum screw length and added used the next length longer. I didn't want a lot excess screw length in the mast to foul wires, even though in the case of my wiring everything was in conduits screwed to the interior of the mast. The main thing is to keep those screw heads flat or you will have to re-drill and tap (very hard) or grind then off later (not a good idea when you need to remove the screws later for some reason).
BRM3, just noticed your location. I rigged my boat there at the Ala Wai. That was before they tore down the store that was located by the bridge over the canal. Aloha!