Mast step going?

[nicktulloh]

I know there's a couple of threads about CP16 mast steps going bad but I can't find anything about the CP27.

I know it's hard to know from these pics but can anyone confirm my suspicion that the step needs work? Or vice versa? If it is bad, is the repair basically the same as the CP16?

Also - does anyone have a picture of the area without the mast?

[Allure2sail]

Mast is off the parts boat, I'll get some pictures of the area for you this Sat. Anything special that you are trying to see or figure out? I just took a closer look at your picture. That crack doesn't look to healthy. If you put a straight edge on the pad, bow to stern and also port to starboard I bet it's sunk in. How does the compression post look in the galley?
Bruce

[nicktulloh]

The compression post looks fine, it's anchored at the base with a pretty massive fitting that I assume is stock. There's nothing I can see at the top that looks out of place. I haven't pulled anything apart yet because, well, the fact is it's not my boat yet.

I haven't put a straight edge across the top of the step cover yet but I'm estimating that it's dished out about 1/2" or so. I'm assuming the crack is stress from the dishing.

Thanks in advance for the stub (?) pics. Not looking for anything particular, just a heads up to as to what to expect when I unstep.

[skip1930]

Clean and vee the crack. Fill it with a Marine-Tex resign epoxy and paint.
How tight is the standing rigging?
Your not trying to push the mast through the bottom of the hull are you?

Anyway to add...let me say this about that. No gauge for tension needed. At the dock, site up the mast from the Vee birth if possible. If one of the standing rigging has pulled a kink into the mast do the adjustment till straight. The standing rigging ought to be tight. But when sailing the lee side should be loose. The windward side is tight. Switch over to a different tac and should see the same thing. Most sailors sail the boat way too tight.

skip.

[nicktulloh]

Clean and vee the crack. Fill it with a resign epoxy and paint.
How tight is the standing rigging?
Your not trying to push the mast through the bottom of the hull are you?

skip.

It seems to me that the crack is just a symptom of an underlying problem that needs fixing first.

The rigging is tight but I don't have a gauge yet to put any numbers on it. There's some interesting stuff about rigging tension here  http://68.171.211.157/how-to-use-pt-series-tension-gauges

I'm going to get a Loos gauge like so: http://loosnaples.com/tension-gauges/professional-models

They have an interesting article with a couple of neat graphics under the "Additional Information" tab relating to the actual tension of the standing rigging.

[nicktulloh]

Here's some better shots from today with a reference tape.



The above is the front, level perpendicular



The above is in the same orientation (ie that's the port side of the mast).



The above is at the back of the mast.


It looks to me like the actual depression, assuming that the sides of the glass on top of the pad are the original level, is about 1/8" at the aft side of the mast and closer to 1/4" at the forward side and the sides (the level squares up to the flange there so the thickness of the flange corresponds to the amount of dish). It doesn't seem like much when I write it here but it is quite noticeable.

[Allure2sail]

Hi:
Have pictures of the area in question without the mast installed and will try to post them. I suspect that the cabin roof coring in the area of the mast step has turned to mush, looks like you have a project ahead of you. I would also look very very closely at the top of the compression post to see if any moisture got inside the galley or it was just trapped in the core area between the deck surface and inside the galley roof. I have not posted a picture for awhile and think I remember how to create the link to photobucket.
Bruce

[Allure2sail]

Picture post attempt.....
Here we go (I hope).




From the stern side





From the starboard side





From the bow side





From the port side





From the port side

[nicktulloh]

Thanks a lot. That answers several questions.

[skip1930]

I was under the impression that with Com-Pac Yachts their is zero, none, no core 'tween the inside and outside of the deck or hull. And 'core' would be just the plywood hardpoint under the mast's foot that was glassed into the boat.

That's what is nice about Com-Pacs, nothing but a few hardpoints to soften up with water egress from cracked fiberglass. R&R the wood. Lay in some more glass.
A 'balsa wood on end' core is the only thing wrong with my favorite boat. A Nonsuch.

skip.

[bmiller]

The deck is foam cored. Not so sure about the mast step.
Two things I'd do. First send those photos to ComPac, they are very good at helping out owners of old boats. Second, start at the bottom and work up, find where the problem starts.
Good luck.